Baobab Rovers reward players

Tobias Mandoreba Hwange Correspondent
AMBITIOUS Zifa Matabeleland North Division Two league outfit Baobab Rovers recently held a colourful awards ceremony at the Zesa Social Club to reward excelling players in the just ended season. Rovers, who finished fifth in their second season in the league, look set to scale dizzy heights in football if they maintain their professional attitude towards the game. The night belonged to steely pint-sized defender Francis “Lunchbar” Mbewe who scooped five awards to cap a stellar season at the heart of the Rovers defence.

Mbewe was voted the player of the season, the players’ player of the season, most disciplined player of the season, most consistent player and runner up in the goal of the season accolade.

Andile Moyo was voted the rookie of the year while Dumolwethu Nsingo was voted the most improved player of the season.

Veteran Isaac Maphosa won the goal of the season award while striker Prosper Mathe was the club’s top goal scorer.

“Hwange’s own Bosso”, as Rovers are affectionately called in the Hwange soccer circles due to their black and white uniform colours, also had Maphosa and Mbewe winning the Premier Motor Spares sponsored player of the month awards for the months of August and September 2014 respectively.

In his remarks at the ceremony, club chairman Busani Mpofu said the club will put more effort towards junior development.

“As a club we will maintain our policy of grooming young players and plans are underway to have Baobab Rovers Under 12, 14 and 16 teams and I hereby implore the Zifa Mat North leadership to seriously consider setting up junior football leagues in the province.” said Mpofu.

Some of the people who attended the awards ceremony were Zifa Matabeleland North chairman Dennis Tshuma, the league’s board member (technical and development) Nelson Ndeka, Hwange gaffer Nation Dube, Zifa Southern Region Division One side Technosphere FC director Ozias Taruvinga and officials from clubs across the leagues in the mining town.

Rovers is coached by former ZPC Hwange rightback Miti “Rambo” Sibanda.