Chipangano keeps veterans guessing

VETERAN duo of Winston Mhango and Gift Mbetwi are reportedly keeping their fingers crossed for the Hwange reunion amid revelations by the club’s head coach Nation Dube yesterday that a decision to bring them on board is yet to be finalised.

Mhango and Mbweti were both bred in the coal mining town and previously turned out for Chipangano before they looked elsewhere for greener pastures.

“Our preparations for the 2024 season have gone so well. We might have lost a number of players but I must say, we are now ready for the 2024 season. We are now itching for its start as we are now in the final stages of coming up with our final team. The only big names that have been training with us are Winston Mhango and Gift Mbweti. It’s a new side and in that regard it’s a wait and see situation for us as we are yet to finalise if Mhango and Mbweti will officially join us,” said Dube.

The two players played for FC Platinum.

Mhango went on to have a playing stint in Zambia before he returned to Zimbabwe to play for Highlanders, ZPC Kariba and Zifa Southern Region Division One side Adachi.

Dube, a veteran gaffer, who previously turned out for the coal miners added: “You know players that come from big clubs are sometimes difficult to engage. However, we should have finalised our squad today (yesterday).”

However, according to impeccable sources Mbetwi, a former Pure Platinum captain, is said to have already put pen to paper.

Yesterday, Hwange held an early training session that started at 6.30am and ended at 9am at the Colliery Stadium in a move that was meant to pave way for Hwange schools athletics sporting activities.

After making an impressive Premier Soccer League comeback in the past season from the Zifa Southern Region Division One League, Dube’s charges lost the services of seasoned goalkeeper Nedrick Madeya, holding midfielder Thabani Goredema and hard running midfield workhorse Canaan Nkomo centreback Gift Mlotshwa and utility player Brendon Rendo.

Hwange finished the 2023 season on number nine with 45 points. – @FungaiMuderere.