Bongani Mafu joins Tsholotsho FC

STRUGGLING Castle Lager Premier Soccer League club Tsholotsho FC have roped in former Highlanders coach Bongani Mafu to assist Lizwe Sweswe in a bid to escape relegation. The Zhwane Boys, who are sitting precariously on 13th position, released Mighty Warriors' assistant coach Sithethelelwe "Kwinji" Sibanda to make way for Mafu.

Tsholotsho seem to have seen some potential in Mafu, who was fired with his technical team consisting of Mandla Mpofu, Peter Nkomo and Netsai Moyo for poor results at Highlanders at the beginning of this month. Bosso wielded the axe on Mafu after leading the team to three consecutive defeats resulting in the team dropping close to the relegation zone.

He was fired when Bosso was in 10th place, a position they have remained on since his axing. Some Tsholotsho players said Mafu was introduced to them as the technical advisor to Sweswe by club chairman Mlamuli Phiri during their training session at White City Stadium yesterday.

"We were told that he'll be with the team until the end of the season and he watched Sweswe taking us through our drills. It was just a light training session and in his pep talk, Mafu was blunt saying he wants to help us survive relegation. From his talk, you can tell that he means business and our guess is that he wants to prove a point that he didn't fail at Highlanders," said the player.

Tsholotsho benefactor Mandla Manyathela was also present when Mafu was introduced to the players. Phiri confirmed introducing Mafu to the players but said he would be in a better position to shed more light about the engagement of the former Bosso coach today.

"At the moment I'm on my way to Tsholotsho where I'll brief the whole executive about the decision. I've to make this formal and if you call me tomorrow, I'll be able to give you more details," said Phiri.

Tsholotsho are left with seven crucial games, four at home and three away. Mafu's return to the dugout is a home clash against title contenders FC Platinum at White City on Saturday. Mafu infamously branded FC Platinum's type of play as pathetic ahead of a home tie against the Zvishavane side while still in charge of Bosso.

Bosso went on to be outplayed and lost the match 1-2 in what was the first of three consecutive defeats that eventually resulted in his sacking. Tsholotsho's next game will be away to Buffaloes and then Whawha (at home), Triangle United (away), Chicken Inn (home) before another derby against Highlanders. They end the season with a home game against Harare City.

The road to survival will not be easy for Tsholotsho even though Sweswe was confident they could still move out of the relegation zone. Meanwhile, rumours swirled last night that another former Bosso gaffer Kelvin Kaindu had stepped down as Triangle United coach following a poor run that saw them being drabbed 0-5 by Harare City in the Chibuku Super Cup quarter-finals on Saturday, but the club issued a brief statement quashing the rumours.

"Kelvin Kaindu is Triangle FC club (technical) manager contrary to some speculative rumours that he has left the job to fill the vacancy left by Luke 'Vahombe' Masomere at How Mine. Kaindu is here to stay, wait until he resigns. "Those vying for his post, stop the sabotage," read the club's statement posted on their official Facebook timeline last night.

Wheels seem to have come off at Triangle United after going for five league games without a win. The Lowveld side only managed two draws. Triangle United were championship contenders up to the halfway stage of the league when they started faltering.