Online Reporter
Langton Nyakwenda, Zimpapers Sports Hub
WELL travelled veteran coach Maxwell Takaendesa Jongwe has a long and interesting history with Bulawayo, Zimbabwe’s second largest city.
Jongwe did his primary and secondary schooling in the City of Kings.
He also attained tertiary certificates in Bulawayo before venturing into coaching.
That’s why it hasn’t taken him long to settle at Bulawayo Chiefs, where he has a mandate to guide the Ninjas back into the Premier Soccer League.
Chiefs were relegated from the top-flight league at the end of last season after spending six years in the elite division.
Jongwe was given a clear task: he has to win the Southern Region Division One championship and ensure Bulawayo Chiefs make a quick return to the Big Boys’ league.
Luckily for the former Zifa technical director, the Ninjas have had a promising start to the season.
They boast a 100 percent record in the opening four rounds of the 2025 Southern Region Division One championship.
They haven’t conceded in 360 minutes of action and lead the log with 12 points, three clear of Casmyn.
Former Premiership side Hwange are seventh and five points off the top.
Bulawayo Chiefs are bubbling with confidence after walloping Eagle Life 4-0 at Luveve Stadium last Saturday.
“I’ve settled reasonably well in Bulawayo. One thing which must be put clear is that I’m a Bulawayo boy.
“I grew up here,” Jongwe told Zimpapers Sports Hub.
He is preparing to face NUST on Sunday, hoping to make it five out of five for Bulawayo Chiefs, who boast a number of tried and tested players in their squad.
The Ninjas managed to lure back the trio of Kelvin Madzongwe, Malvin Mkolo and Arthur “Diego” Musiyiwa.
They also have goalkeeper Matriples Muleya in their ranks.
“The boys are working very hard for the team hence we are posting positive results.
“We have a very strong side but I don’t want to underestimate the task before us.
“The task is clear, we need to come back to the Premiership as early as possible.
By the end of the season, we must be champions.”
Perennial campaigners Hwange, Megawatt, Casmyn and Talen Vision could pose a serious threat to Chiefs’ quest.
Hwange are still being coached by Rodwell Dhlakama, a former Monomotapa, Ngezi Platinum Stars and GreenFuel coach.
“We have most of the top coaches down here in Division One, which makes this a very competitive league,” said Jongwe.
The former CAPS United, Chegutu Pirates and Yadah coach is banking on his experienced players, some of whom he worked with at Chegutu Pirates last season.
“We have a mixture of players, some with Premier Soccer League experience and others who have helped teams gain promotion before,” said Jongwe.
“So, we have a very strong side,” he added.
Zimpapers Sports Hub understands Bulawayo Chiefs are now financially stable following a dark period that saw players go for months without salaries last season.
The club owner has reinvested massively into the club and now wants Jongwe and his boys to deliver on the pitch.
Jongwe acknowledges finances have not been a problem so far.
“We are getting enough support from the sponsors and the owners of the club.
“They are doing everything possible and that has made my life much easier.
“But this is a marathon.
“We have to keep working hard. We are hopeful we will continue grinding results until we get promoted back into the Premiership,” said Jongwe.
Former Premiership side Bulawayo City are third on the log with nine points while Jordan anchor the table with zero points from four matches.
Fixtures
Friday
Talen Vision v Bulawayo City (White City)
Saturday
Hwange v Megawatt (Chakona), Nkayi United v Casmyn (Luveve, 12PM), Bulawayo Warriors v Ajax Hotspurs Movers (Luveve, 3PM), Imbizo v Victoria Falls City Herentals (Llewellin), Blackrock v Jordan (Cinderella), Eagle Life v Zebra Revolution (Raylton), Bosso 90 v Mainline (White City)
Sunday
Bulawayo Chiefs v Nust (Luveve)
