Katebe joins FC Platinum

 

He was a wanted man at champions Dynamos but the steady defender was enticed to join the ambitious platinum miners by his former coach Tennant Chilumba who joined the miners two weeks ago from Hwange.

An official at the club confirmed the deal yesterday.

Dynamos’ Webster Chikengezha was quoted by online media as saying the race for Katebe was over. He said the player had been lost to FC Platinum.

Meanwhile, FC Platinum have parted ways with  former Highlanders legendary goalkeepers trainer Peter Nkomo and promoted juniors goalkeeper Daniel Khumalo in a reshuffle that also saw John Phiri severing ties with the Zvishavane side.

Nkomo’s contract expired at the end of last month and the club did not renew it.

Tafadzwa Dube, one of the best goalkeepers in the country, was also shown the exit door.

Speculation was high that Nkomo would bounce back as goalkeepers’ coach but the miners have instead promoted Khumalo, who once saw action with Zimbabwe Saints, to the senior post and will work with Patrick Mandizha as assistant coaches to Chilumba.

“We promoted a young goalkeeper Tolbert (Shumba) from the Under-19 to the senior team and can we say his coaching is bad to continue coaching him in the senior structures when he was the one who moulded him?

“I doubt it, so I think the appointments we have made are correct and good for the team,” said the      soft-spoken club president, George Mawere.

The club president said their club has put its faith in youthful players as they aim to improve their seventh place finish last season. FC Platinum have captured promising Mhleli Sibanda who was with Quelaton and the national Under-20 twin brothers Kelvin and Elvis Moyo who were with Bantu Rovers.

Last year’s 2012 golden boot winner, Nelson Maziwisa, Raymond Sibanda and Frankson Bushire have been recalled following a stint with neighbours Shabanie Mine FC.

Young Terrence Rukweza has been promoted from the Under-16 team based at Guinea Fowl High School in Gweru. He is expected to battle with former Highlanders junior Shumba in between the goalposts.

The Zvishavane-based side offloaded 13 players last week and have engaged six players as replacements.

“When we got promoted in the league three years ago we started an Under-19 project with the idea of promoting youngsters into the senior team. In short, it was a feeder team and next year do not be surprised if we buy one or two players as we hope that the bulk of the players will be coming from the junior team,” said Mawere.