THE relentless, often unforgiving coaching merry-go-round of top-flight football is spinning once more, with Herbert Maruwa tipped to make a swift return to the dugout.
The former TelOne coach has emerged as a front runner to replace the embattled Lloyd Chitembwe at Triangle, as the club’s hierarchy prepares to arrest a slide that threatens their very survival.
Sources close to the club have revealed that Maruwa has been shortlisted for the role alongside former ZPC Kariba coach Newman Mashipe.
In a twist that highlights the volatile nature of the profession, both men are currently unattached, having recently been relieved of their duties at their respective clubs following a string of poor results.
The duo is expected to undergo interviews with the relegation-threatened side this week.
Chitembwe’s current predicament underlines the deep-seated malaise at the Lowveld club.
Having inherited a team sitting second from bottom and winless after four rounds of games from his predecessor, Thomas Ruzive, the former Caps United title-winning coach has failed to spark the desired resurgence. Instead, Triangle have sunk to the foot of the standings, marooned with a mere 10 points after registering just two wins from their opening 18 matches.
The pressure on Chitembwe has intensified following his failure to meet a stringent club directive.
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He was reportedly handed a three-match ultimatum to secure three points—a target that ultimately slipped through his fingers.
Defeats to FC Platinum and Scottland were followed by a solitary point away at ZPC Kariba over the weekend, leaving his position increasingly untenable.
Yet, despite the grim statistics, there remains a faction within the club’s executive advocating for patience.
Reports suggest Chitembwe could yet survive the imminent cull, with some executive members arguing that he should be afforded the time—and, crucially, the resources—to rescue the team from relegation.
The counter-argument from within the boardroom stresses that financial backing should be availed to Chitembwe during the mid-season transfer window to strengthen the squad before a definitive judgment on his tenure is passed.
Whether Chitembwe will be granted that luxury remains to be seen.
Next up for Triangle is a pivotal home fixture against an equally faltering Chicken Inn at the Gibbo Stadium on Sunday. However, with internal factions pulling in opposite directions, it remains highly uncertain whether Chitembwe will still be in the dugout to lead his players out if those pushing for his departure get their way.
Castle Lager Premier Soccer League matchday nineteen fixtures
Saturday: Bulawayo Chiefs v Agama (Luveve), TelOne v MWOS (Ascot), Fc Hunters v Simba Bhora (Heart), Ngezi Platinum Stars v Scottland (Baobab), Herentals v Caps United (Rufaro).
Sunday: Hardrock v Zpc Kariba (Chahwanda), Manica Diamonds v Fc Platinum (Sakubva), Triangle United v Chicken Inn (Gibbo), Highlanders v Dynamos (Barbourfields)
