adminLovemore Zigara Midlands Sports Correspondent
FC Platinum will start life without Tennant Chilumba who quit the club two days ago when they take on a Gweru Select in a fundraising match set for Sunday at Ascot Stadium. The match is meant to raise about $3 000 for the construction of ablution facilities at the Roman Catholic’s St Theresa Hall where many public functions are held in the city.
George Mawere, the FC Platinum president confirmed that his team would be taking in the match.
‘‘As FC Platinum, we are coming to take part in the match which is for a worthy cause and as such we are humbled to be part of such an initiative.
We are going to be bringing our first team because we want them to remain in shape especially in light of the current break,’’ he said.
Co-ordinator of the Gweru team, Malvern Paradza said the players will be drawn from clubs from the Central Soccer League and Division Two before engaging FC Platinum in a war of words.
‘‘The (Gweru Select) team will be under the mentorship of MSU coach Godfrey Chuchu and will be assisted by Jeremiah Neganda the Gweru City head coach. The side will comprise players from Central Soccer League teams Hardbody, Hwahwa and MSU as well as players from Division Two sides, Gweru United and Gweru City.
‘‘I believe we have a competitive team and we are going all out for a win against FC Platinum and they better be warned not to come expecting an easy game,’’ said Paradza.
Chairperson of the Roman Catholic Church, St Theresa Cathedral finance and development committee, Frank Hamandishe expressed gratitude at the asbestos miners and the Gweru football community for coming on board to help them fundraise.
In another development FC Platinum assistant coach Anderson Phiri yesterday quit the club in a huff and headed back to his homeland, Zambia.
Phiri, who joined FC Platinum at the beginning of the year, follows his countryman Chilumba out of the Zvishavane club who tendered his resignation letter on Wednesday after signing for Power Dynamos in Zambia.
“I tendered my resignation letter this morning (yesterday) because there was a lot of pressure. When I came to FC Platinum Tennant Chilumba is the one who invited me and when he asked me if I wanted to return home and assist him at Power Dynamos, I agreed.
“Besides, I have spent a long time here in Zimbabwe and I think it’s high time I return home,” said Phiri.
The two coaches left Bulawayo for Victoria Falls yesterday afternoon and they are expected to proceed to Zambia this morning.
Meanwhile, Beavan Gwamure became the first coach to be shown the exit door after he was axed by Beitbridge municipality outfit, Town United following a string of poor results.
The final straw was the 0-2 defeat at the hands of NM Academy which saw the club management relieving him of his duties.
Former AmaZulu defender, Vorster Chitemu sat on the bench in the rescheduled midweek fixture against Tongogara at Dulibadzimu which ended in a one all stalemate.
The club has since roped in former Shabanie Mine and FC Platinum gaffer John Phiri to take on the reins until the end of the season.
Fixtures:
Today: Town United vs Kwekwe Pirates (Dulibadzimu), Vumbachikwe vs Silo United (Forbes), Chapungu vs MSU (Ascot), FC Platinum vs Chrome Stars (Mandava), Hardbody vs NM Academy (Wilson), Gwanda Ramblers vs Hwahwa (Pelandaba), Tongogara vs Jessie Mine (Amaveni).
Tomorrow: Tripple B Academy vs Gaths Mine (Dulibadzimu).
Bongani Ndlovu
Online Reporter