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Sikhumbuzo Moyo, Senior Sports Reporter
TSHOLOTSHO Football Club could be playing their home games away from Bulawayo next year with the club seriously considering relocating either to Beitbridge or the resort town of Victoria Falls in a bid to attract large crowds to their matches.
Iziqholo Zezhwane have been making constant losses from their home games in Bulawayo where their average gate takings have not exceeded $300 except when playing against Highlanders, Dynamos or Caps United.
The club pays match officials $900 and at least $300 to the police, forcing the club leadership to dig into their pockets.
“Beitbridge is a bit too far for the team and those people don’t even know us. Yes we might excite our South African based supporters to drive across but there is no guarantee on that,” said club chairman Mlamuli Phiri.
Inside sources said some members believe going to Victoria Falls, a tourist and football crazy town which is starved of premiership football, will be the best move.
“Victoria Falls people love football and this is evidenced by large crowds whenever there is a match at Chinotimba Stadium,” said an insider.
When Tsholotsho Rural District Council takes over the club, it might decide to assist Victoria Falls council to renovate Chinotimba Stadium so that it meets the minimum standards for PSL matches.
Meanwhile, Iziqholo zeZhwane are not going to stand on the way of their coach Lizwe Sweswe who has indicated that he may leave the club that he has been with since their Division Two days.
Sweswe is believed to have attracted interest from Ngezi Platinum, FC Platinum as well as Chapungu United although grapevine talk also links him to Bantu Rovers.
At the platinum miners, Sweswe will be an assistant coach.
Tsholotsho have already started receiving emails from prospective coaches who want to replace Sweswe, in the event he leaves.
One of the first local coaches to get a Caf A coaching licence in the country Tavaka Gumbo might bounce back from the coaching wilderness.
Online Reporter