Chronicle Editor
Ngqwele Dube, Sports Correspondent
TOP flight football is earmarked for a return to Beitbridge with the revival of defunct Border Strikers on the cards.
Talk about Border Strikers to any football fan in the border town and a flood of memories comes streaming, with Premiership action at Dulivhadzimu Stadium being high on their minds.
The collapse of the team in 2017, when it was playing in Division One, left football fans with no local football to watch with only social soccer being the only option available for local fans. Former executive Pios Muchena believes the team will be back in the pitch next year after engaging Beitbridge Inn hotel proprietor, Peter Leondios over initial revival of the team.
Muchena said the team is in the hearts and minds of locals as they have not only great memories about the side but they are eager to see local football.
“The revival of the team is on the minds of many people here but someone needs to take the first step. I met Leondios over the week and as someone interested in sport, I talked to him about the revival of Border Strikers. He agreed to assist us if we revive the team and this has set the ball rolling in getting the side back to life. I have engaged other former executive members and they agreeable to efforts being made to reenact the side,” he said.
Leondios, who also runs Townshend and Butcher sports shop in Bulawayo, confirmed his interest in seeing the team coming back to life. He said it was critical for football to be played in all corners of the country and would love to see Premiership football being played in Beitbridge.
“Football should not just be for the top cities but be played in every ton. People in the country love the game and the onus is on authorities to ensure it reaches all corners of the country. I quickly jumped on board when Muchena mentioned the plan and I’m eager to see the team back in action,” he said.
Leondios said the return of the side will not only see a revival of entertainment but will also boost businesses in the border town as team travel to play. He called on more companies and business people to come on board and assist with the funding of the team and ensure it gets to play in the Premiership.
The club was founded in 1982 but has faced financial challenges over the years that saw it at some periods being inactive and then being revived.
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