adminMukudzei Chingwere Sports Reporter
PREMIERSHIP football newboys, TelOne, have appointed Jairos Tapera as their head coach days before the start of the new season.
He takes over from Joel Lupahla, who is now the technical manager.
However, the newboys will not be allowed to use their Ascot home which has been condemned as a sub-standard facility which should not host top-flight matches.
Chapungu will have to play their first game against Bulawayo Chiefs at Mandava in Zvishavane.
TelOne club president Lloyd Mtetwa confirmed the appointment of Tapera before challenging Gweru City Council to refurbish Ascot.
“Tapera is now the head coach and Lupahla is the technical manager, we have made the changes as a way of complying with the regulations of the league.
“I do not think the timing of the appointments will affect our start, we had a good pre-season with Lupahla and we are all confident the team will be able to do well in the league,” he said.
Lupahla does not have the mandatory CAF A coaching badge to coach a top-flight team.
“I am told Ascot is not eligible to host the league matches but I am happy that there refurbishments being done at the venue and, hopefully, they will be done by the time we play our first home game.
“Gweru City are the owners of the stadium and they are the ones who are doing the refurbishments, it is not for clubs to improve the facility because it is not ours.
“Playing at Ascot benefits us and the community of Gweru, the City Council benefits also in terms of revenue and that is why it is important for the stadium to be ready to host league games,” said Mtetwa.
Online Reporter