Chronicle Editor
Ricky Zililo, Senior Sports Reporter
NEGOTIATIONS to reengage Bongani Mafu as Hwange coach are at an advanced stage, with sources revealing that the gaffer is expected to start his duties at the colliery next week.
Mafu, who laid the foundation for Hwange’s 2022 Zifa Southern Region Division One Soccer League campaign before leaving in March to join Ngezi Platinum Stars as assistant coach to Benjani Mwaruwari, is expected to watch Hwange’s game against Bosso 90 at White City Stadium tomorrow before rejoining the side.
Mafu’s reign at Ngezi ended at the beginning of the week when the platinum miners parted ways with Mwaruwari.
Impeccable sources said the initial plan by Hwange was to bring back Mafu at the end of the season to steer the coalminers’ ship in the Premiership. Mafu had recommended that Try Ncube, who led Bulawayo City to the premier league in 2019, be given the job.
Presently, Hwange are under the tutelage of Edmore Sibanda and Chipangano legend Obert “Cobra” Moyo.
“Mafu is coming back. Everything is almost set for his return to Hwange. He left the club amicably to join Ngezi Platinum Stars and the view was that since he is qualified to lead a premiership side, we were going to engage him for the PSL. Now that an opportunity has presented itself, he is coming home sooner than expected and will join his lieutenants (Moyo and Sibanda) who have done well to keep the team going in his absence.
“Mafu is coming together with Try Ncube who was here (in Hwange) for interviews on Tuesday. They will watch the Bosso 90 match in Bulawayo and on Monday they are expected to start work,” said the source.
Hwange FC administrator Khumbulani Mbano said news of Mafu and Ncube joining the club were just rumours.
“Rumours will always be there. The Mafu issue started spreading after Ngezi Platinum Stars announced that they had parted ways with their coaches. However, the club’s position is that if there’s anything coming in relation to technical adjustments, an official statement will be released,” Mbano said.
About Ncube, Mbano said: “I also heard rumours to that effect as well, but like I said, the authorities will put a statement if anything happens. As of now we continue working with who we have.”— -@ZililoR
Online Reporter