Chronicle Editor
Ricky Zililo, Senior Sports Reporter
THE gamble to move to Zimbabwe and relaunch his career after being released by Orlando Pirates in 2019 seems to have gone haywire for 22-year-old striker Rodi Sibanda who has struggled to command a starting place at Bulawayo City FC.
Highlanders shipped out Sibanda on loan at City in March with the hope that the central striker will gain experience and find the form that saw him winning accolades at the Buccaneers when he was playing for their developmental side.
Sibanda, who won the Golden Boot at the Pirates Cup where he scored 12 goals in six matches in 2019 and got a cash prize of R5 000 as well as a one-year supply of boots from Adidas South Africa, is not deterred by slow progression of his career.
The striker has one goal and two assists in 13 appearances — two starts against Cranborne Bullets and ZPC Kariba.
“Ever since I moved this side from South Africa, I would say my journey has been a roller coaster. At first, I was delighted to sign for one of the biggest teams (Highlanders) in Zimbabwe, but in March I was told to go on loan to Bulawayo City for experience and game time. I’m grateful to Bulawayo City who took me in. It has been an exciting time in my loan spell in terms of my growth as a player because I’ve managed to be involved in three league goals so far, two assists and my first professional goal against ZPC Kariba (who they beat 3-0).
“I know it has been a rough period as I continue working hard with the hope of bouncing back, but what is important for me is to take this challenging period as lessons. I have to keep working hard, be mentally and physically steady to deal with the lows that the game presents. I know that I’ll bounce back strongly,” said Sibanda.
At Highlanders, Sibanda who started his career at Bidvest Wits Academy before moving to Pirates where he played for their juniors up to the reserve side before being released by the Buccaneers in 2019, he found himself falling down the perk with Stanley Ngala, Lynoth Chikuhwa and Washington Navaya the preferred top men.
City’s playing style as evidenced by their starting line-ups is to use one striker. In the recent matches, Obidiah Tarumbwa has been leading their attack. They also have Dalubuhle Dlodlo and Nqobile Ndlovu also competing with Sibanda for the lone striker’s role.
But as games come thick and fast, City, third from the bottom of the table with 24 points from 27 matches, need to quickly turn around their fortunes to survive the chop.
Last weekend they surrendered a 1-0 lead to lose the game 2-1 at home to Cranborne Bullets. Sibanda believes they can survive demotion.
“Many have ruled us out, but trust me, the guys are giving their best, fighting and competing to the best of their abilities to post positive results. Luck hasn’t been on our side but we remain hopeful and we will fight to the end,” said Sibanda.
City will be inactive this weekend as focus turns to the Chibuku Super Cup quarter-finals. — @ZililoR
Online Reporter