Hativagoni stars in Chiefs debut

BULAWAYO Chiefs FC rightback Malvern Hativagoni shone in his first Castle Lager Premier League appearance when his team drew 0-0 with ZPC Kariba on Saturday.

The 20-year-old has had to wait a long time to make an impression at the club’s first team.

It was his first league start in his three-year stay at Amakhosi Amahle and the rightback was delighted with his performance.

“I have had to wait a very long time for this opportunity. Of course it was not easy especially against a tough ZPC Kariba side but I am happy for myself and also for the team as a whole that we managed to get a clean sheet.”

The draw also meant that the team is yet to taste defeat from open play under new coach Jofias Nhumwa and Hativagoni also appreciated the opportunity he was given by his new coach.

“It is very unusual that a new coach has so much trust in a player that has not been playing for a long time. I had to repay him for his trust through a good performance,” he said.

Hativagoni hopes his fine performance on Saturday will help to build his confidence going forward, starting with their next fixture against Black Rhinos at Bata Stadium on Saturday, August 26.

“It is going to be another tough match but I believe in our team’s abilities. We have the squad that can perform well and I believe that we can get the results we need,” he said.

Hativagoni is also a former national team player at junior level.

He was part of the 2018 Under-17 squad that played in the Cosafa Cup in Mauritius and he also travelled with the Under-20 team to Port Elizabeth in South Africa for another regional tournament.

“I want to continue growing as a player stage by stage until I reach the highest level. It is a very good feeling to be able to represent your country but I cannot stay in my comfort zone, I have to work harder,” said the rightback who is keen to play for the Under-23 and senior national teams.