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Ricky Zililo
Senior Sports Reporter
ERNEST “Maphepha” Sibanda has bounced back into mainstream football after being appointed manager of ambitious Southern Region Soccer League side Bantu Rovers.Sibanda, who had been in the football wilderness for six years, will oversee supervision of all Bantu Rovers’ teams from the juniors to seniors.
An elated Sibanda said he was looking forward to contributing to Bantu Rovers’ success.
“As all of you know what happened at the beginning of the year — being barred from contesting in Highlanders’ elections — I can’t sit and do nothing because football has always been part of my life. When Bantu Rovers told me that they wanted my services, I saw it fit to come and help this big project. They saw it fit for me to help this young team and after six years in football doldrums, which is a long time, I gladly took up their offer,” said Sibanda.
“I want to help them win the championship next year and take them back into the PSL.”
Sibanda will also play an advisory role to Bantu Rovers’ management and is viewed as a winner by Bantu Rovers.
“Maphepha becomes our first signing for the 2016 season as we’re starting our preparations now. We roped him in because he is one of the most successful football persons in Zimbabwe, having won the PSL title as a chairman and manager.
“He has also had successful stints with the national team where he was the team manager. Maphepha is a winner and his mentality is what we need at Bantu Rovers as we target to win the championship next season,” said Bantu Rovers general manager Wilbert Sibanda.
Tshintsha Guluva are fourth on the Southern Region Division One Soccer League table, tied on 40 points with Technosphere, ZPC Hwange and Casmyn. They trail runaway leaders Bulawayo City by 12 points.
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