Luke Masomere got a baptism of fire on his return to the premiership after a year on the sidelines when his misfiring Border Strikers were pummelled 4-0 by Harare City in the Chibuku Super Cup first round match at Rufaro stadium on Friday.

Masomere, the self-proclaimed ‘Doctor’ of Zimbabwean football has been without a team since he was sacked by How Mine last year, joined struggling Border Strikers on Tuesday, just three days before Friday’s match.

With the Chibuku Super Cup offering the only hope for silverware for the ailing Border Strikers, Masomere failed on the first hurdle with his team crumbling in the second half in which they conceded three goals.

However a defiant Masomere said the defeat was a result of little time with his players since joining the club.

“This was like our second training session.

“I only had one training session with the players before this match so I am still to know the players how they play, “said Masomere.

“However the other problem is that my players are tiring easily. In the second half in which we could have mounted a challenge to come back into the match, we crumbled and allowed Harare City to trample all over us.

“It’s one area that we need to work on going into our league match against FC Platinum next week. But I have noted some positives despite the defeat. At least I have somewhere to start from going forward,” added Masomere.

Harare City ran riot getting their goals through Jerry Chipangura in the first half before Ronald Chitiyo, Farai Madhanhanga and William Manondo. 

Despite Masomere’s optimism, Border Strikers are in danger of being officially relegated should   they lose to FC Platinum on Wednesday.