MUTARE City Rovers gaffer Taku Shariwa is away without official leave after the youthful coach decided to attend a Caf B license coaching course Gweru without the blessings of his relegation threatened club.

Mutare City Rovers’ hopes of surviving the relegation battle hang by a thread as they remain tied on 26 points with Tsholotsho with the latter enjoying a superior goal difference going into the last round of 2016 Castle Lager Premiership matches.

The team faces Ngezi Platinum on Saturday at Baobab stadium while their rivals in the fight against relegation Tsholotsho FC entertain title chasing FC Platinum at Luveve Stadium on the same day.

Club spokesperson Clayton ‘Bagio’ Masekesa confirmed that Shariwa went away without the consent of the club, albeit with a great deal of diplomacy.

“The invitation for Taku Shariwa to attend a coaching course came very late and he had to rush to Gweru for the course. So he communicated with us when he was already in Gweru for the course. We wish him good luck on the course and as a club we are hopeful that he will use the techniques from the course for the good of Mutare City Rovers,” said Masekesa.

Shariwa joined Mutare City Rovers after just two rounds of the 2016 Castle Lager Premiership matches and managed to somehow breathe life into their hopes for survival but latter presided over the clubs’ mediocre performance that can largely be attributed to below average players at the coach’s disposal.