Chikwata, once one of the country’s four biggest football clubs, has been bedevilled by boardroom squabbles over the years, which forced their relegation to the unfashionable Division Two league.
They however, clawed their way back to the second-tier league, after they bought the franchise of fellow former PSL side, Railstars.
“The goal is to make sure that the club doesn’t suffer the humiliation that saw it drop to the second division,” said Mabhena. “We have a crop of good, talented young players that we are grooming for the future of the club. We cannot build a team with players that are only seeking money, but those willing to sacrifice all to re-build the status of the club. Competing in the first division this season will give us the experience we need to return to our past glory.”
Ncube also appealed to the club’s loyal fans and the business community to help the executive and the technical department in their rebuilding exercise. “We need everyone associated with the club to have confidence and support us in all our endeavours,” added the former Quelaton and Chicken-Inn mentor.
“We need to be guided through this great endeavour to restore Chikwata. I promise that the technical team will do its level best to remain on the success track, so everyone’s cooperation is necessary at this and every other phase of the programme. The future is bright for this great club if we all pull together in one direction – forward,” he added. Of late a “Yo-yo” team, Chikwata had their last dance with the premiership in 2011, when current Highlanders manager, Willard Mashinkila Khumalo, was their head coach, assisted by former Warriors striker, Agent Sawu.
They bounced back after they had bought the Eagles franchise having last featured in the topflight league in 2006. The club recently acquired the services of seasoned players like Wonder Peperere, Castro Ndebele and Gift Phiri, to boost their chances of a quick return to the PSL.
The club has over the years fallen from that great machine that produced quality players like Ebson “Sugar” Muguyo, Ephraim Chawanda, Sawu, Jimmy Phiri, Henry “Bully” Mckop, Muzondiwa Mugadza, Ronald “Gidiza” Sibanda, Minenhle Maphosa, Earnmore Hamandishe, Max Makanza, Mtshumayeli Moyo and Mthulisi Maphosa.
Post published in: Football