Should they maintain that rate, this season would be a far cry from the standards the platinum miners had set in their debut premiership season in 2011, when they embarked on a massive recruitment drive that netted most of the league’s top names at the time.
There have been reports that the club’s seemingly bottomless financial resources were finally emptying, but club officials have insisted that the development was instead, a result of a shift in focus after a disappointing campaign last season. The club, they say, was now concentrating on developing young players as opposed to pursuing established stars that have delivered too little for comfort.
Tendai Chikuni, who has reverted to the role of assistant coach after the recent appointment of Zambian Tenant Chilumba as head of the technical department, expressed satisfaction with the new squad.
“We now have a much younger and more balance side and we are happy that we have managed to strengthen all departments,” said Chikuni.
“Nelson Mazivisa has returned to add more depth in the attack, while in defence, we have added Katebe and Ian Nekati, both young players whose best is yet to come.” The miners have also snapped up former Bantu Rovers twins – Kelvin and Elvis Moyo and former Hwange goalkeeper, Petros Mhari.
The off-season has also seen them shed unwanted players like Benjamin Marere, Tafadzwa Dube, Norman Togara, Johannes Ngodzo, and William Manondo. The likes of Donald Ngoma, Ali Sadiki, Joel Ngodzo, Danniel Vheremu, and Welcome Ndiweni are however, still there to form a formidable unit.
Post published in: Football