adminSikhumbuzo Moyo Senior Sports Reporter
IT’S confirmed!
Tsholotsho FC have joined the big boys in the Castle Lager Premier Soccer League with a game to spare after contenders Technosphere were held to a goalless draw by New West City in Bulawayo yesterday.
Also confirmed is that the club management will not sell their franchise to anyone and that Premiership football will be heading for Tsholotsho as the club has no intention of relocating from Tsholotsho but would instead vigorously develop their stadium to minimum expected PSL standards.
By picking up a point, Hwange-based Technosphere who have former Highlanders dribbling menace Thamsanqa Vundla in their technical set-up, will only take their points tally to 52 if they win their last game while the Lizwe Sweswe coached Zhwane Boys have 54 points before their last match against Mpumalanga next Saturday.
“I’m naturally happy that we’ve clinched the Zifa Southern Region Division One League title, it’s been a dream, a dream that’s finally come true for us,” said an elated Sweswe, brother to former Highlanders defence stalwart Thomas.
Sweswe acknowledged that a bigger battle now lies ahead but remained confident that his boys will be able to endure the heat. “It’s more about being mentally prepared for the PSL now, telling ourselves that we’re now in the PSL not Division One and once we do that I’m sure we will stand our ground,” said Sweswe.
He said he still has faith in the boys that did duty for him but might add one or two new faces not from the elite league but lower leagues. He said they might recall Kudzi Machazane from Highlanders.
Club secretary Melody Ndlovu said preparations for the 2015 season are already underway and assured their supporters that all efforts are being made to make sure the team stays in Tsholotsho.
“What’s certain is that we’re not going to sell our franchise. That’s point number one, point number two is that this is a community team that belongs to the people of Tsholotsho and there’s no reason why we should relocate,” said Ndlovu.
Jabulani Nkomo, son to the late Vice President John Nkomo congratulated the team management and coaches for bringing Premiership football to Tsholotsho.
“This really means a lot for us the people of Tsholotsho and we would want to make sure that what’s been achieved is consolidated, it will be sinful to look away and pretend as if nothing has happened. Tsholotsho will now be on the map and as Tsholotsheans we would want to assist in every possible way,” said Nkomo.
He said the coming on board of Tsholotsho FC presents an enormous opportunity for the district to grow economically with a number of downstream industries set to benefit.
“I haven’t put a cent into this project but that doesn’t mean we should continue doing that. We all need to support this project so that it doesn’t turn out to be a one-season wonder. I call upon every Tsholotsho son and daughter to stand up and be counted. Let’s avoid being a laughing stock,” said Nkomo.
He called upon the team management to come up with fundraising ideas like opening up some form of a fund where people from the diaspora can deposit whatever they have for the good of the team.
“Mandla Gumbo has done a tremendous job as the club benefactor and we can’t have his project becoming a failure. This is why we’re saying Tsholotsho FC should be there for good,” said Nkomo.
Sweswe led Tsholotsho to 14 wins and just a single defeat so far before their last match of the season in Hwange.
Online Reporter