Women’s team lures South African coach

Nkosilathi Sibanda, Sports Reporter

IN a major boost for women’s football, the sudden fold of top Bulawayo Chief’s women’s football side, Amakhosikazi, has paved the way for another talented team, Queen Lozikeyi Academy who made their debut appearance in Super League yesterday.

Queen Lozikeyi Academy joined the Women’s Super League after buying the Amakhosikazi franchise, in what has been hailed as a face-saver to the local game. The deal came at the opportune time, quelling the anxiety that had gripped some players in the Amakhosikazi fold, with some on the verge of being loaned to other teams, while others were stuck clubless.

The newly assembled team has made a bold statement of playing for honours as they hired South African coach Bonolo Mokoatle, while retaining pedigree players that turned out for Amakhosikazi.
Amakhosikazi, who were the southern region Women’s Soccer League 2022 champions, bowed out from the Super League, allegedly due to lack of financial backing.

In realising the need to keep the girls playing, a local football outfit Matabeleland Select pushed for a merger and have the Amakhosikazi slot bought.
Receipts gleaned by the Sunday News show that Queen Lozikeyi Academy is now duly affiliated with the Zimbabwe Women Football, after paying all dues on April 27.

One of Queen Lozikeyi Academy directors James Rugwevere said they are pleased to have pulled out a merger that helped keep the franchise and call themselves under a new name, Queen Lozikeyi.

“When the idea to make a merger came about, we agreed with Matabeleland Select to take up the Bulawayo Chiefs slot in the Super League. We agreed to have the team named Queen Lozikeyi Academy,” said Rugwevere.
Meanwhile, Queen Lozikeyi Academy, believed to be having a healthy financial backing, have appointed a South African, Mokoatle Bonolo, as their head coach and is expected to land in Bulawayo within the next coming days after acquiring her work permit.

The 30-year-old Bonolo is expected to arrive in the country anytime soon. She has a rich history of working with female soccer players. She recently worked with the University of Johannesburg senior team. Former Mighty Warriors captain and defender Nobuhle Majika will revert to the assistant coach role.