adminNgqabutho Moyo Sports Reporter
FORMER Castle Lager Premiership side Bantu Rovers FC yesterday said they harbour no ill-feelings towards Mandla “Lulu” Mpofu’s move to Highlanders.
Mpofu was until December 31, 2014 the club’s co-coach with Methembe Ndlovu but moved to the six-time Premiership champions on Monday to join Bongani Mafu as his assistant.
Wilbert Sibanda, Bantu Rovers Football Club general manager, said contrary to word on the street that they were not happy with the move, Mpofu had left on a positive note.
“That’s mere speculation, people assume that since Mpofu left us for Highlanders at short notice we’re going to take legal action or try and squeeze money out of the whole situation.
“If we’ve a problem with him we’ll talk to him and resolve the issue and not go through the media,” he said.
Reports were rife that the twice relegated from the Premiership side Bantu Rovers were claiming $10,000 in damages.
Sibanda said Mpofu quit the club through the proper channels by tendering his resignation before taking the Highlanders job.
“Mpofu left the club on a good note. He submitted his resignation letter to our offices on Monday as soon as we opened after our break for the holidays. Highlanders are a big team and everyone would want to be associated with them, we’re happy for Mpofu,” he said.
Sibanda emphasised that it was a positive progression for Mpofu and that the club would always welcome him back if he chose to return at some stage of his career.
“This is a big opportunity for Mpofu and we’ll take him back anytime. I’m sure he’ll gain a lot from Highlanders and we’d be glad to have him share with our players his experiences should he at some stage decide to return,” he said.
Sibanda said they would start preparations for the Zifa Southern Region Division One campaign on January 13.
“We’re starting preparations for our Division One campaign on January 13. We’re still maintaining our youth development policy meaning that we’re going to keep most of our players and develop them for the 2016 Premiership season,” he said.
Sibanda invited young talented footballers who want to join the club to attend trials.
“We had the best Under-18 team last year and we’re still open to some more young players who would want to join our team. Bantu is home for them and they should come for trials at Hartsfield,” he said.
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