adminProbably after having sleepless nights for a period of over two months since Hwange’s last win when they beat the then out-of-sorts Caps United 3-2 at the Colliery on 5 August, the Zambian gaffer has had enough and will now focus his attention on junior football development for the coalminers.
In a letter addressed to the club chairman Joe Zulu and in possession of Chronicle, Chilumba stated that he had severed all links with the team which now finds itself in the relegation corridors on 11th position despite a promising start to the season.
“I have made a decision to step aside from coaching the senior team and concentrate on junior development where I will be identifying talent in schools and surrounding areas within the district and province at large.
“Please be advised that I will not have anything to do with the senior team training, selection and other related issues. The same also applies to Hwange Juniors (Division One).
“It is my hope and belief to identify and groom youngsters who will form the backbone of the future Hwange Football Club,” read part of the letter, which was copied to club secretary Burzil Dube.
Dube confirmed the latest development in the Hwange dressing room and said the players were advised of the team manager’s departure at the afternoon training session yesterday.
“Yes it’s true that Chilumba has parted ways with the senior team. We have always had plans with him to develop a vibrant junior policy and it was supposed to start next year but he (Chilumba) decided to bring it forward. We appreciate that Matabeleland North is the only area with abundant natural talent hence we want to use Tennant’s expertise in that regard.” said Dube.
The Zambian expatriate’s decision will obviously come as a surprise to everyone and some fans will view Chilumba’s move as ducking a salvo of bullets given the team’s poor form where they garnered just two points from the last seven games.
The norm is that if ever there is such a move of redeployments to the junior ranks, such actions are usually at the beginning of the season.
“Why should he leave at a time when the team is going through a bad spell? He was supposed to wait until the team starts winning then go when things are alright because if the team starts winning again everyone will think he was responsible for the losses,” said Tichaona Mufandaedza, a staunch supporter and coach of a local Division Two club in Hwange.
Following the 0-1 defeat to log leaders Highlanders last Wednesday, the fifth one on the trot after a chain of defeats at the hands of Motor Action, Harare City, Shabanie Mine and Monomotapa, a crisis meeting was held by the Hwange team executive yesterday.
Club secretary Dube was not at liberty to divulge what was discussed by the power brokers at the club but it is likely that the future of the coaching staff featured prominently.
All eyes will now be on coach Nation Dube for the remaining seven games as the coalminers battle to avoid the dreaded chop at the end of the season.
Sadly next Wednesday, Dube will direct operations alone from the bench when they play against Black Mambas as his assistant Mebelo Njekwa will be serving his suspension after being sent off last Wednesday by referee Hardley Ndazi as Hwange officials fiercely protested the manner in which the free kick, which resulted in the late goal scored by Bosso’s man of the moment Masimba Mambare, was executed.
It was taken hurriedly before Hwange players could assemble a wall.
After the Mambas game, the coalminers will meet title chasing Dynamos (home), Buffaloes (away),
Hardbody (home), FC Platinum (away), Blue Rangers (home) and Quelaton (home) as they battle to remain afloat in the Castle Lager Premier League.
Hwange finished fifth last season and were voted the Most Disciplined Team.
Will the local set of coaches deliver for Hwange?
Online Reporter