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Senior Sports Reporter
NEWLY promoted Premier Soccer League club ZPC Kariba will play their home matches away from home at Gwanzura Stadium in Harare until they finish working on Chaminuka Stadium in the resort town. The power utility bankrolled club has communicated its position to the PSL.
“ZPC Kariba FC has notified us that they will be using Gwanzura Stadium as the facility that they were using in Kariba doesn’t meet standard Premiership requirements. When they are done with their renovations, a Zifa Grounds Committee will then travel to Kariba to inspect the stadium before certifying it usable,” PSL chief executive officer Kennedy Ndebele said.
ZPC are the first ever team from Kariba in the history of Zimbabwean football to be promoted to topflight soccer.
According to a report by the Zifa Grounds Committee and PSL chairman Twine Phiri, Chaminuka Stadium, and others facilities in the area, do not meet the standard required to host Premiership football.
Phiri said they could not allow ZPC to use the stadium as it is short in length. He had suggested that the team moves either to Karoi or Chinhoyi if there are stadia that meet the standard requirements.
ZPC Kariba are not the first PSL club to face a stadium dilemma as former Beitbridge-based Tripple B were forced to use Mandava Stadium in Zvishavane as their home ground for matches against Caps United, Dynamos and Highlanders as Dulibadzimu Stadium was deemed to be unfit to host such high-profile matches.
The Kariba club has also been busy during pre-season strengthening its squad ahead of the new season.
Ex-Buffaloes coach Saul Chaminuka replaced Jostein Mathuthu as head coach and is assisted by former Hardbody FC gaffer Godfrey Tamirepi.
Oliver Matava is the second assistant coach responsible for junior development while much travelled Patson Ndaba is the manager.
Only 10 players, former Caps United and Lengthens FC midfielder Pride Tafirenyika, Clive Janero, Luckmore Makiwa, Dennis Daudi, Patrick Nhamo, Tendai Hove, Dexter Phiri, Rafael Manuwire, Artwel Nyamiwa and Wilson Muchenje from the squad that won the Zifa Northern Region Division One Soccer League have remained at the club.
Chaminuka has opted to go for experienced players in the form of the trio of Norman Togara, Pardon Chinungwa and Limited Chikafa who were at Triangle last season, ex-Monomotapa’s Obey Mwerahari, the duo of Caleb Masocha and Peter Muzondo, striker Tawanda Nyamandwe, Tawanda Munyanduri and David Rediyoni all captured from Caps United.
Moses Makanje who turned out for Tripple B last season and relegated Black Mambas’ trio of Ben Nyahunzwi, Tsepo Ranthlokoane and goalkeeper Tonderayi Mateyaunga are also part of the ZPC Kariba squad.
Norest Mukwezaramba signed from Gunners and Hugh Chikosa complete the 25-member ZPC Kariba squad.
The five Under-20 slots have been taken by Stephen Nyambabve, Emmanuel Tinarwo, Tanaka Dick, Pius Gonda and Trevor Chigede.
Online Reporter