Chronicle Editor
Nkosilathi Sibanda, [email protected]
ZIMBABWE Saints FC board vice chairperson Ishmael Kaguru says the club’s failure to win games can only be solved if the team gets adequate funding.
Kaguru’s remarks come at a time when the former Premiership team is on the brink of relegation as they are at the bottom of the log standings having lost all 18 matches played so far in the Zifa Southern Region Division One League.
The club leadership is worried and are of the view that if the team gets fresh injection of cash, the situation might change for the better enabling the team to move away from the doldrums and reclaim its mojo.
The board that carries the responsibility of saving Zimbabwe Saints from demise comprises Felix Dzumbunu, the chairman, Lloyd Munanga, the chief executive officer and Gibson Homela who is the technical manager.
Kaguru, who is counted among Chikwata’s all-weather benefactors, revealed to Chronicle Sport, in an interview that financial injection was the imminent solution.
“The main challenge we have at Zimbabwe Saints is funding, nothing else,” said Kaguru.
He was frank as he revealed that the team’s leadership was using all its might to look for partners to chip in and save their Division One campaign.
“The situation at our club is affecting everyone and we, as the leadership, are in the process of looking for people to fund us.
We are making headway but, there is nothing tangible yet.
“There are as many people in the footballing community who are concerned about the club. They want Zimbabwe Saints to get back to its glory days,” he said.
Kaguru said as the leadership they were affected by the present economic hardships hence what they could do for the team was very limited.
Chronicle Sport has it on good authority that Chikwata are among clubs that are failing to pay their players and officials, in what has manifested in losses on the field of play.
The 18-game loss record is the worst since the club’s formation in 1931.
For Zimbabwe Saints to survive the chop, Kaguru said they propose to have a fundraising campaign among their members.
“Charity begins at home. We have to start contributing the little that we have as members. The bottom line is that the team needs funding and we should be in the forefront of raising the money. Whatever little we contribute as individuals will go a long way in assisting the team. Outsiders can only be persuaded to assist by our commitment,” he said.
Kaguru paid tribute to as many of the club’s former players based in the diaspora, whom he said have continued to provide a lifeline.
“We are so much encouraged by our former players overseas. They are doing their best to assist the team and if everyone in the club can do that, we will have a start. With that kind of spirit, we can go far.”
“It is an issue of lack of commitment among ourselves, the executive and the supporters. We are our own enemies because we do not want to pay. We just have to do that. Zimbabwe Saints will never die.”
Online Reporter