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BULAWAYO Chiefs head coach Thulani Sibanda has identified players from the Zifa Southern Region Division One League whom he hopes to convince to join his team in the mid-season transfer window.
The mid-season window opened yesterday and will close on July 31.
Without mentioning any names, Sibanda highlighted that he will be making some adjustments to his squad.
“We are not a team that has the financial muscle to pick the players that we want. Of course, we move around Division One teams. We have spotted three or four boys who we think can come in and help the team in the event that we don’t get resistance from their teams,” said Sibanda.
Chiefs are in position 11 on the league table with 20 points from 17 games at the league’s halfway mark.
They have won four games, drawn eight and lost five.
Sibanda feels they have fared well in the first half of the season and is confident of a good campaign in the second half.
“I feel we might collect more points in the second half of the season. It is a good performance (first half of the league) given that this is a completely new team and we did not have a proper pre-season. I strongly believe we will win more games in the second half of the season.”
Sibanda spent last season at Triangle United, where he was shown the door at the end of the season after the team was relegated under his watch. Triangle United finished the season in 16th position and are playing Division One football this year.
Sibanda took over at Chiefs from Johanisi Nhumwa, who led Amakhosi to a 13th position finish last season.
Not much was expected from Bulawayo Chiefs this season after they lost almost all of their key players, including striker Obriel Chirinda, skipper Malvin Mkolo, Billy Veremu, Kim Joe Sibanda, Ben Nyahunzvi, Felix Moyo, Mthokozisi Msebe, Ayanda Ncube, Mandla Gasela and goalkeeper Issah Ali among others.
The club’s new additions came in the form of Never Rauzhi, who is already on six goals, Xolisani Moyo, Bukhosi Sibanda and goalkeeper Prosper Matutu. The quartet has, so far, proven to be worthy replacements.
They also roped in a number of rookies in a bid to keep the ship afloat.
Chiefs held Manica Diamonds to a nil all draw at the weekend in a match Sibanda felt they should have won.
“It’s a game that we wanted to win and it’s a game I feel we could have won. Of course we knew we couldn’t go 50/50 with these guys in terms of their physical stature. They are bigger than our players, most of our boys have a small body frame. So we had to be quick and dynamic each time we got the ball. We did create quite a few chances and with a bit of maturity and composure we could have got about two or three goals,” said Sibanda.
Online Reporter