Bulawayo City FC bounce back

Raymond Jaravaza

FORMER Premier Soccer League side Bulawayo City FC has bounced back after a year’s hiatus and will compete in the Zifa Southern Region Division One League in the 2024 season that is expected to kick off in March.

Bulawayo City FC last played in the PSL in the 2022 season and were relegated after a dismal campaign.

The following year the team opted not to play in Division One, citing financial constraints as principal sponsors Bulawayo City Council pulled the plug on bankrolling the team, instead channelling their resources to service delivery.

Last year, Sunday News Sports spoke to chairman Jerry Sibanda who hinted that the club would be turned into an academy, a move that, however, suffered a stillbirth. This time around the club wants to be self-sustaining through engaging various partners and sponsors and not totally depend on the municipality for sponsorship, according to club official Zenzo Moyo, who is facilitating the comeback of the team into Division One.

Yesterday morning, the team held trials at the Crescent Sports Club, where about 60 players turned up to try their luck under the watchful eyes of Gift Lunga (Junior), Mandisi Nyathi, Mduduzi Mpofu and Donald Mutali.

“We are back and will be competing in the Zifa Southern Region. The last time we played in the Premier Soccer League there were concerns by some stakeholders that the city council was not in a good financial position to sponsor the team, which is why this time around the club has engaged a number of sponsors so that we are not too reliant on funds from BCC. We understand that the city council has a lot on its plate and must channel resources to service delivery so our ultimate goal is to be independent from BCC and run the club with the support of other sponsors,” said Moyo.

Moyo is not lost to the financial challenges that the team will face in Division One but says the club hierarchy is looking at the bigger picture, that of keeping youths off the streets as well as giving young players a platform to shine.

“It will not be easy running the club but we have to try. Just imagine what will happen to all these boys who came for trials today (Saturday) when they have nothing to do but roam the streets aimlessly? They will turn to drugs and crime. Bulawayo City FC wants to play its part by giving these young boys a platform to showcase their talents and make successful careers in football,” he added.

Today (Sunday) the team will again hold another session where a second batch of players will undergo trials at Crescent Sports Club.

“A majority of the squad will be young players from our Division Two team plus players who will make the grade from the two trial sessions as well as four or five experienced players who will come on board to help stabilise the boat,” said Moyo.