Chapungu fire six at pre-season training camp

Lovemore Zigara, Midlands Correspondent
GWERU based Premiership outfit, Chapungu have allegedly offloaded six players ahead of their pre-season camp at Katanga Shooting Range.

“Waru Waru” started their pre-season preparations yesterday and the axed players were told to either look for other clubs or go to Suri Suri Airbase where the club has set up a soccer academy.

The six players who have been shown the exit door are former captain Callisto Maheya, Talent Mwale,Tawanda Chokuwamba, winger Victor Bangira, former Hardbody goalkeeper Alexander Useni and striker Brighton Mugoni.

Chapungu chairman Acroid Moyo and coach John Nyikadzino could not commit themselves on the matter.

“I cannot say anything at the moment because Nyikadzino is still to finalise his list of players for the upcoming season. Once I get the names I will come back to you,” said Moyo.

However, when contacted for comment Nyikadzino contradicted his boss and said the issue was administrative and referred questions back to the club management.

“The issue of players is administrative. I will actually get to know the players that I will be working with once some issues have been finalised,” he said.

However, one of the affected players confirmed that they had been axed.

“It’s true that we have been told that we are no longer in the coach’s plans. The reasons being that we are not disciplined but it’s just a question of us not being in good books with some people in the technical department.

“Only Muduso (Brighton Mugoni) was released because he is injury-prone.

“We’ve been told to look for other clubs or go to Suri Suri to work there since we are members of the Airforce of Zimbabwe,” he said.

The airmen are said to have enlisted the services of former Shabanie Mine player, Marvellous Dikinya and the former Tripple B pair of goalkeeper, Tapiwa Mafunga and midfielder Tendai Huwa.

Chapungu were also said to be on the radar of Shabanie Mine skipper Smart Muchabaiwa, a warrior in defence, Blackboots’ Simon Njeleza and Black Mambas midfielder Nhlanhla Ncube.