Mafu bounces back at Hwange

Bruce Chikuni

HWANGE FC have reunited with Bongani Mafu as head coach.

Mafu makes a return to the coal mining town after leaving 18 months ago to join the failed Ngezi Platinum Stars project under Benjani Mwaruwari.

Hwange secretary-general, Khumbulani Mbano, confirmed Mafu had penned a two-year contract yesterday.

Mbano said they settled for Mafu because of his understanding of the team’s strategic plan.

“I can confirm that Mafu is now our head coach and he is going to lead the team into the Premiership,” said Mbano.

“We chose Mafu because we have worked with him before and we trust his ability to interpret our philosophy to the players.”

Mbano said they were not desperate to bring in high-profile players.

“We have not set any individual targets for him, but we are going to set a collective target because it will be injustice to burden an individual in a team project,” he said.

“Of course, we are not going to entertain the relegation talk because we have set ourselves a better target, which is just beyond relegation survival.

“I just want to guarantee that next season our fans are going to witness a different Hwange because we have done our homework.”

He added:

“Mafu has been around long enough to know almost each and every player in our camp.

“We are likely to make some additions because we also feel that the coach might see better options along the way.

“But, since this project has shown great potential, the additions will be done just to complement the departments which need to be reinforced.”

Mafu played a significant role in helping Chipangano win a PSL ticket.

By the time he left to be Benjani’s assistant, he had laid the groundwork for the championship.

Edmore Sibanda and Obert Moyo, who were his assistants before his departure, built on the success until the appointment of Try Ncube, who secured the medal of honour for Chipangano.