Tsholotsho refutes technical shake-up

Sikhumbuzo Moyo Senior Sports Reporter
TSHOLOTSHO Football Club have refuted reports of a looming technical shake up that will see former Highlanders players, Bekithemba “Super” Ndlovu and Joel Luphahla being roped in.

Lizwe Sweswe is the head coach assisted by Sithethelelwe “Kwinji 15” Sibanda and there have been concerns that the duo might be finding life a bit not as rosy as they would have expected.

Iziqholo zeZhwane have gone for four games without a win with their last win coming courtesy of a 2-0 scoreline at the expense of fellow league debutants Whawha.

“Looks like Mandla Manyathela (Tsholotsho owner) wants to beef up his technical department because results haven’t been coming of late, there’s nothing wrong with Sweswe but the belief is that someone with premier league experience as a player or coach will help stabilise the team,” said a source.

However, Tsholotsho chairman Mlamuli Phiri yesterday refuted the reports and said his executive was fully behind the leadership of Sweswe and Sibanda.

“Those are mere rumours, we’re happy with Sweswe’s showing so far even though results haven’t been coming. You’ve seen it yourself that the boys are playing beautiful football but luck hasn’t been on our side,” said Phiri.

The chairman said Luphahla was a Tsholotsho boy whose presence during the team’s matches must not be mistaken for anything else.

Last Friday, Tsholotsho missed a glut of chances against Dongo Sawmill at White City Stadium, including a penalty early into the match. They could easily have won the match with a rugby like scoreline but in the end handed the visitors an underserved draw.

With the transfer window opening up in July, Tsholotsho will do well by going into the market to get some experienced pair of legs, even in the mould of former Highlanders skipper Innocent Mapuranga who was surprisingly released by misfiring Bongani Mafu.

Mapuranga will bring confidence on the field of play.

The new kids on the block have not really hit off the blocks and now wallow in the bottom five positions on the table. Dongo Sawmill anchor the log with just four points, all coming from draws and remain the only winless side in 10 games.

Chicken Inn opened a three point gap at the top of the table with their demolition act in which they emerged from the Bulawayo derby 2-1 winners against Highlanders at Barbourfields Stadium on Saturday.

The Gamecocks are surely championship favourites now and you can only earn that status by beating the so called traditional giants, Dynamos and Highlanders.

Chicken Inn remain the only side with a single loss. The most attack minded side in the league with a huge 25 goals Triangle United continued with their poor away record, losing 3-2 to FC Platinum in a jam packed encounter at Mandava Stadium.

Kelvin Kaindu’s boys have managed just a single win on the road so far but have been ruthless at home. Heading into the weekend encounter the Lowveld side had conceded just five goals.

The Zambian mentor was nevertheless impressed with his team’s performance despite the loss. Champions Dynamos needed a second half fluke goal by Walter Mukanga to hand gold miners How Mine a 1-0 defeat. With the win, DeMbare climbed to third on the table, tied on points with second placed Triangle United.

Chipangano returned to their routine draw regime, holding Harare City to a 1-1 draw at Rufaro Stadium.