Player exodus hits Plumtree Chiefs

Ricky Zililo Senior Sports Reporter
BARELY two years after winning a Premiership ticket and then sold the franchise to Bantu Rovers FC last season, Plumtree Chiefs FC have been hit by a players exodus with more than a dozen leaving the club.The former Zifa Southern Region Division One Soccer League champions’ 2015 campaign has already suffered a knock with the club which finished fifth last season being forced to concentrate on “youth development.”

The players who were with the team last season that include goalkeeper Winston Chiwetu, defence trio of Joseph Museve, Khumbulani Dube and Forward Makanhanga, midfielders Gracious Muleya, Innocent Kutsanzira, Ramson Pavari, Fundani Nkomo, Tedious Mugumanya and Patrick “Mboma” Mpofu are trying their luck at BCC Golden Stars.

The team has also lost central defender Lindelani “Vice” Ncube who is close to a move to Highlanders and Chrispen Machisi who made the grade at Caps United.

Plumtree Chiefs owner Lovemore Sibanda confirmed the players exodus and said they have since issued clearance letters.

He said they will not be recruiting any notable        names for their campaign as they want to promote juniors.

“We won’t be challenging for the championship this season and our focus is on building a squad made up of youngsters that will compete for the title next season. The direction that we’re taking is driven by the vision that we had when we set up the Plumtree Chiefs Academy last year and that is why you will discover that most of our players this coming season will be between the ages of 17-21 years,” Sibanda said.

Former Highlanders defender Anzilom Ndlovu and Nkosiyazi “Juice” Ncube have been assigned the responsibility of grooming junior players after the club did not renew Peter Manoti and Farai Nemachera’s coaching contracts which expired last month.

With Plumtree Chiefs already taking a back seat in as far as the title race is concerned, BCC Golden Stars which has reportedly attracted a number of experienced players, start as pre-season favourites.

Bantu Rovers, perennial campaigners Black Boots, Ntabazinduna and Hwange-based Makomo FC and Technosphere are expected to be among the championship contenders.