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Ricky Zililo Senior Sports Reporter—
FORMER Premiership giants Zimbabwe Saints FC have fallen on hard times with their preparations for the Zifa Southern Region Division One Soccer League in limbo because they have no money. Chikwata, as they are fondly known were forced to suspend training sessions a fortnight ago and their players are in the dark regarding the future of the club.
The Zifa Southern Region Division One Soccer League kick-off on April 5 and the deadline for player registration is March 31. Zimbabwe Saints are stuck as they do not have a single player in their books.
“We were told two weeks ago to stop coming for training and we are all looking for jobs at other clubs. Time is moving and we cannot afford to just wait because even the coach (Xolani “Square” Nkundlande) was not sure about the future of the club,” said a player.
Impeccable sources said Nkundlande is retracing his footsteps to Zifa Bulawayo Metropolitan Province Division Two Soccer League club, Zim Leopards of Iminyela.
Zimbabwe Saints chairman Gibson Homela was seen a number of times at training sessions in January and February before the players were told to stop coming for training sessions.
In an interview yesterday, Homela confirmed that they were facing financial challenges. He said they would soon meet the club’s shareholders in a bid to address the crisis.
“In as far as our preparations are concerned, we held trials where I was actively assisting but I couldn’t carry on funding alone.
“I have heard that the players stopped training and that is why we are meeting.
“We are sending letters to the shareholders and we will wait for their response. JB (Jabulani Chinyangarara) has been assigned to communicate with the shareholders,” Homela said.
The Zimbabwe Saints executive members who were given the responsibility of running the day to day operations of the club are Homela, his deputy Ishmael Kaguru, Innocent Kurwa (secretary), treasurer Caleb Sengu and organising secretary Jabulani Chinyangarara who is also a member of the Zifa Southern Region leadership.
Elliot Manduna who was refused the right to vote on behalf of Zimbabwe Saints at last month’s Zifa Southern Region elections, is the chairman for the board of shareholders.
Manduna said he was not aware that there are problems at Zimbabwe Saints.
“I am not aware that there are problems at the club. What should happen is that the executive should table a budget during our meeting.
Once they brief the board on what they need, the board will them find ways of harnessing resources. You can ask Homela and Chinyangarara on the progress in as far as preparations for the season are concerned,” said Manduna.
derick.khumalo