Chronicle Editor
Innocent Kurira, Sports Reporter
BULAWAYO Chiefs’ rebuilding exercise is taking shape after the club acquired the signature of Zifa Southern Region Division One leading scorer from last season, Stanson Khanye together with former Chicken Inn captain Danny Phiri.
Also officially now a Chiefs player is ex-Tsholotsho skipper William Stima who parted ways with FC Platinum at the beginning of this year.
Amakhosi Amahle have gone through a turbulent period that has seen a number of their Chibuku Super Cup winning players leave the club owing to non-payment of salaries. Chiefs, who are still navigating their way past the storm, have roped in championship-winning coach Lizwe Sweswe who is now tasked with leading the side.
Having lost the likes of the Moyo twins Elvis and Kevin as well as attacking midfielder Arthur Musiyiwa who signed for Dynamos, goalkeeper David Bizabani now with Green Fuel, Lucky Ndlela who is likely to pen a deal with Triangle and forward Perfect Chikwende who made a return to FC Platinum, Sweswe has to start from the bottom.
His latest additions to the side have been revealed by the club with Khanye being the latest acquisition.
The lethal Khanye scored 19 goals for Quality Foods last season. The 26-year-old Khanye has been linked with a number of topflight sides before his move to Amakhosi Amahle.
He joins former Zimbabwe Warriors midfielder Phiri and Stima who have also been unveiled as Chiefs players. The 33-year-old, Phiri signed with Amakhosi Amahle on a free transfer. Phiri left the country in 2016 when he moved to Golden Arrows in South Africa from Chicken Inn.
He spent five years at the Durban-based before his departure in 2021. The defensive midfielder then switched to Tanzanian club Diamond Trust Bank (DTB) but left the club after a short stint. Bulawayo Chiefs have also confirmed the signing of Stima on a free transfer. Stima was released by FC Platinum.
Captain Malvin Mkolo, Mthokozisi Msebe, and Obriel Chirinda have been retained by Chiefs.
As the 2022 Chibuku Super Cup winners, Chiefs will collide with four times in a row league champions FC Platinum in the Castle Challenge Cup later on this month to mark the start of the 2023 season. The Premier Soccer League is yet to announce the date of the match between Chiefs and FC Platinum, which will most likely be played at Mandava Stadium in Zvishavane. — @innocentskizoe
Online Reporter