adminFungai Muderere
FROM Zhwane to Venda land!
Dry coffers due to low attendance levels when playing home matches in Bulawayo has prompted Tsholotsho FC to consider moving to a more a�?lucrativea�� venue that could bring in the much needed revenue through gate takings.
Over the last two seasons Tsholotsho FC has used Luveve and White City stadiums as their home grounds but failed to attract large numbers. On average less than 100 people pay to watch Tsholotsho at home.
a�?We have been getting little revenue from our home games. As such we have been getting calls from a large section of local footballers to consider a move to Beitbridge. However, while we accept the suggestions we have not yet finalised as a club. We are weighing options,a�? said Phiri adding that they had tentatively registered Luveve Stadium and White City Stadium as their home grounds with the PSL.
PSL registration period closes on 31 March.
Beitbridge border town was home to relegated Border Strikers and the now defunct Tripple B who used to attract sizeable crowds at Dulivhadzimu Stadium.
Club Achievements
In 2011, Tsholotsho became Bulawayo Province Division Two champions. Tsholotsho was promoted into the Zimbabwe Premier Soccer League in 2014 after they topped the then Zifa Southern Region league with 54 points.
The Zhwane Boys made history by becoming the first club from a a�?rural set-upa�? in independent Zimbabwe to make it into the countrya��s top football league.
Unfortunately for Tsholotsho, there was no stadium that meets the minimum requirements to host a PSL team in Zhwane hence the move to Luveve and White City Stadium in Bulawayo was their best bet.
This was after they played their Southern Region Division One games at that ground, just close to the Tsholotsho business centre.
Relinquishing of ownership by founder
In June 2016, Mandla Manyathela, who had been the sole owner of the club relinquished ownership of the club citing financial hardships. It was after his supermarket located in Tsholotsho business centre was gutted by fire that Manyathela relinquished ownership to the Tsholotsho community which was represented by councillors and other business people. The club was to be run by a new board.
It also emerged that the Tsholotsho RDC, local businesspeople and other prominent people that hail from the area, who include Higher and Tertiary Education, Science and Technology Development Minister Professor Jonathan Moyo, had been financially backing the club.
.
derick.khumalo