Saints legend Chawanda bounces back

Chawanda was appointed the new coach at the Bulawayo side, taking over from Willard Mashinkila-Khumalo, who is not feeling well. Until his recent appointment, Chawanda was staying in Botswana and yesterday Zimbabwe Saints secretary Caleb Sengu was confident the former Warriors’ skipper would be able to save the team from relegation at the end of the season.
Sengu said Chawanda had returned to Botswana to sort out a few issues and is expected to lead the side in the Bulawayo derby against Highlanders on Sunday at Barbourfields.
“For now he (Chawanda) has dashed back to Botswana but he will be back on Saturday.
“He will work in the technical team that has Edmore Sibanda, who was our coach in Division One, and Jonathan Chikaponya who is the goalkeeper’s trainer.
“For now that is the set up of our technical team,” said Sengu.
Sengu said they had parted ways with Mashinkila-Khumalo, who had requested that he be granted leave from duty.
“Willard requested compassionate leave because he was not feeling well.
“But the transfer period is closing on Sunday and we needed someone to help us identify the players and build a team.
“Chawanda is a son of the club and he has agreed to put up a squad of quality and determined youngsters,” said Sengu.
The club’s spokesperson said Saints were determined to survive relegation at the end of the season despite losing players like Leo Kurauzvione, Tafadzwa Maingire and Phillip Sithole.
“The guy is a former Saints son and his contract is results-oriented.
“The game of football is very unpredictable but we hope he will be able to guide Saints very well. We want to reclaim our say as one of the biggest clubs and this should start with the Bulawayo derby on Sunday.
“As Zimbabwe Saints, we still have a proud history of going for 22 games unbeaten and that feat is yet to be matched by any other local team,” said Sengu.