adminHwange Sports Correspondent
HWANGE FC is fully equipped to take on Bulawayo giants Highlanders in what promises to be a mouth-watering Castle Lager Premier league opener at the Colliery Stadium tomorrow afternoon. Chipangano faces a Bosso squad which was dealt a blow on Thursday morning following withdrawal of striker Kasimero Chimbadzwa by his parent club ZRP FC over transfer fees.
Highlanders have been planning their attack centering on Chimbadzwa but the police side, which had agreed on a $1,500 season loan deal, made a U-turn on Thursday.
Bosso will now travel with strikers Ralph Matema, Knox Mutizwa and youngster Prince Dube for the Hwange trip.
The Bulawayo giants should brace for a tough game at the Colliery and need to restrategise ahead of tomorrow’s game.
Speaking during the 2016 squad unveiling ceremony held at their stadium yesterday which was attended by the club’s president Thomas Makore and entire Joseph Zulu-led executive committee, stand-in head coach Mebelo Njekwa declared war on Bosso.
“As a team we’ve sharpened our daggers and I’m highly confident that we’ll take Highlanders head on and make a bright start to the season as we seek to ensure that we make a lasting impression this year. We’ve selected a 27 member squad which includes four junior players and these boys have demonstrated lots of zeal to bring results and with the way things were going during the pre-season workouts, I’m certain the coal embers will blaze hot and engulf opponents starting with Highlanders. The other positive note is that we didn’t lose a lot of players during the off season hence the few incoming signings will easily gel into the squad to produce a formidable unit which, without doubt, can surprise everyone during this campaign,” said the soft-spoken Njekwa.
The Hwange supporters chairman Maybin Dizomba said:
“The fans should fill up the stadium to the rafters and cheer the boys whom I believe will give us smiles on the first day of the season. I’ve had an opportunity to watch them train and from what I’ve seen, the scent of victory is already in the air.”
Dizomba added that they will dedicate the game to the late passionate supporter Estelle Zulu Jele who passed on in September last year.
“The fans have resolved to dedicate this big fixture to the late Chipangano ambassador Zulu, popularly known as Mai Chazi whom I rate as arguably the most loyal and dedicated fan to emerge from this town. It was on such games that she would demonstrate zeal and energy to urge the team on through dance and playing of drums,” added Dizomba.
The coalminers lost goalkeeper Takabva Mawaya, midfield kingpin Rodwell Chinyengetere, Nkosana Siwela and fringe defender Maqhawe Mpofu to other teams while they also parted ways with Alec Marime on disciplinary grounds.
Veteran goalkeeper Timothy Sibanda, son to the late Hwange FC legendary goalkeeper Posani, has gone into retirement leaving the heavily-built London Zulu as the first choice goalkeeper this year.
Young Future Sibanda and former Zifa Southern Region Division One outfit ZPC Hwange goalkeeper David Bizabani also forms part of the goalkeeping department.
In defence, Njekwa will bank on the experience of the likes of dependable David Boriwondo, skipper Gerald Ndlovu, Munyaradzi Mungadze and Tonisani Sibelo who comes back into the fold after his intended move to Zambia failed to materialise.
Veteran defender Obert Moyo, who had stints across the Limpopo with premier league sides University of Pretoria and Platinum Stars is also back in the fold and is expected to provide stability at the back.
Pint-sized Farai Vimisai, Pritchard Mpelele, Innocent Mucheneka, Collen Muleya and Admire Banda, a new signing from ZPC Hwange, are expected to provide the balance in the middle of the park together with new signing Pervington Zimunya, formerly of Masvingo United , Shabanie Mine and Caps United.
Ageless Gilbert Zulu, Mpelele and Newman Sianchali are expected to form the core of the coalminers’ strike force.
Zifa Mat North provincial chairperson Dennis Tshuma also attended the colourful event.
Hwange FC 2016 squad
Goalkeepers: London Zulu; Future Sibanda; David Bizabani
Defenders: David Boriwondo; Gerald Ndlovu; Munyaradzi Mungadze; Tonisani Sibelo; Phakamani Dube; Andrew Tandi; Obert Moyo
Midfielders: Gift Mbweti; Innocent Mucheneka; Collen Muleya; Farai Vimisai; Andrew Tshuma; Craven Banda; Pervington Zimunya
Strikers: Gilbert Zulu; Newman Sianchali; Pritchard Mpelele; Seymor Nyathi; Remmington Masuku; Admire Banda.
Junior Development: Victor Chungwa; Rivaldo Tshuma; Proud Shara; Jofias Mumpande.
Online Reporter