adminLovemore Zigara Midlands Correspondent
FORMER Gweru United player Artwell Jani has donated a football kit to Zifa Midlands Division Two side, Mkoba United.
Jani is now based in the Republic of Ireland where he is coach for Glebe North FC, a Third Division side based in Dublin.He was named the manager of the year last season.
Speaking during the hand over ceremony, Jani said the donation was a way of giving back to the community which gave him a stepping stone to the bright lights of Dublin.
He said Mkoba has talented youngsters and his wish is to help them break into European leagues.
In his acceptance speech, Mkoba United secretary, Clemence Taruwona thanked Jani for the kind gesture and called on other former players to come and help the side whose aim is to play Premiership football in the next four years.
“As Mkoba United, we want to thank Artwell Jani for the donation and we would like to call on other former players who were bred in Mkoba to come on board and assist the team.
“At the moment we are surviving from hand to mouth but we have a lot of talented youngsters who can parade their skills at the highest levels.
“Mkoba has been sidelined for a long time and it’s high time we bring Premiership football to Mkoba,” he said.
Mkoba United is currently sitting on fourth position on the log standings after eight games.
Over the years, players from the suburb of Mtapa have dominated with the likes of Maxwell “Marhino” Dube, George Baison and former Gweru United great Colins Semwayo among others shining in the topflight.
However, Mkoba suburb has produced some fine talents like former Tripple B goalkeeper, Tapiwa Mafunga, Buffaloes chief striker Jacob Muzokomba, Michael Mageja and Chicken Inn shot stopper Elvis Chipezeze.
Meanwhile, Zifa Central Soccer League outfit, ZRP Beitbridge received a shot in the arm when two companies donated two sets of uniforms to the side.
The club secretary, Russell Majuta appealed for sponsorship from the Beitbridge community.
He said the club was not receiving anything from the police force and was therefore relying on the benevolence of individuals.
derick.khumalo