Chronicle Editor
Lovemore Dube
EDITH Nkomo, the Emakhandeni Pirates Football Club, often referred to as the Iron Lady of the Zifa Southern Region, says she will never throw in the towel despite having financial challenges.
“Mtanami, we need sponsorship like yesterday. We facing challenges and every weekend we survive and fulfil fixtures in a manner only God knows how. At times up to the 11th hour we will not be in the know whether we will be able to travel or we will not. Even at home we incur expenses for match officials and we struggle to raise.
“We have done more good for the community, keep kids active in football for wellness and those aspiring to be professionals. We have been running for close to 20 years. It has not been a good path to walk on but we have soldiered on and we are prepared to keep forging forward. I don’t want to lie, the burden is too much for me and my husband, we need sponsorship now to carry on and provide a professional football get way for other kids,” said Nkomo.
She said if the club is allowed to crumble almost 140 boys will be affected.
“It is easy for me to wake up saying the project must fold. I lose nothing. But I have developed a bond with the sport and the boys, it is part of me and I want to see some of the promising stars playing at 1500 hours for some of the biggest clubs around,” said Nkomo.
She blamed clubs for “stealing” her players and using both bullying and underhand tactics to get them. She said clubs must appreciate the expenses they get into in developing these kids.
“We struggle for survival. Teams just call our boys and they are gone without compensation leaving us even poorer with worn out balls and uniforms,” said Nkomo.
The project filled the void left by AmaZulu and Maunga two teams that used to be based in the suburb and created stars for yesteryear memories.
Nkomo is proud of her recent prodigies Mcebisi Moyo, a dynamic midfielder playing in Botswana, Kelly Shiyandindi in Hwange and Oscar Bhebhe who is at FC Platinum. She said several of their players are strewn all over the region from Beitbridge to Victoria Falls playing for Division One teams.
“These are not flukes but results of a good project. We have a good coach in Chipo Mhlanga who is patient with youngsters. Talent development wise we are on course and with funding we could be among the top five clubs in the Zifa Southern Region log.
“It is so bad that we are incurring expenses hiring Luveve Stadium yet we intended using Emakhandeni Ground but could not get it homologated after failing to raise enough for the exercise,” said Nkomo.
Nkomo said the club has never been so close to collapse than now and believes God has a Good Samaritan waiting on the wings.
“I am a believer and I believe God will save the dreams of these kids we have by getting us a partner,” she said.
Nkomo however fears they could be running behind time to salvage the project.
“I have never imagined the worst because I am not a loser,” these were her parting words.
Online Reporter