Sports / Local
Methembe Ndlovu keen on Bantu Rovers coaching job
12 Mar 2014 at 03:02hrs | Views
Former Highlanders mentor, Methembe Ndlovu is one of the coaches that have submitted their names for consideration as head coach of Bulawayo-based Premier Soccer League (PSL) returnees, Bantu Rovers, amid indications that the club is planning to assemble a strong technical team.
Tshintsha Guluva, as Bantu Rovers is affectionately known, got a ticket into the top flight after merging with former Zifa Southern Region Division One outfit, Plumtree Chiefs.
As part of the deal, Bantu Rovers would take up Plumtree Chiefs' premiership franchise, while Plumtree Chiefs would assume Bantu Rovers' slot in the Zifa Southern Region Division One league.
Yesterday, Bantu Rovers chairman Wilbert Sibanda, revealed that competition for a place in the premiership returnees' technical team for the upcoming season is so tight that even the Tshintsha Guluva founder, Ndlovu is one of the applicants for the gaffer's position.
"There is serious competition for positions on the final (technical) team.
"I will not reveal the names until Friday when we do our submissions to Zifa, but what I can tell you is that we are assembling a very strong technical bench where even Methembe (Ndlovu) is one of the applicants who submitted their curriculum vitae to be considered as coach," he said.
Ndlovu has a proven track record as a coach and was the Highlanders gaffer when the Bulawayo giants won the title in 2007, after which he formed Bantu Rovers, bankrolled by Grassroots Soccer, an organisation that is renowned for hiring football greats to inspire the younger generation in the fight against HIV/Aids.
Incidentally, that was the last time Highlanders won the Premiership title.
Contacted for comment, Ndlovu said he is not in a position to answer any questions pertaining to his bid for the Bantu Rovers head coach's position, instead referring all questions to Sibanda.
Former Chicken Inn coach, Mandla ‘Lulu' Mpofu has also been touted to take the reins at the Bulawayo-based side, while Gift Lunga is also rumoured to be a potential coach.
"We haven't come up with a team for 2014, but I tell you this will be a serious team.
"People should wait and witness our first match then they will see our intentions, that we mean business," Sibanda said.
Bantu Rovers' last dance in the top flight lasted just two seasons.
Tshintsha Guluva survived their maiden season in the PSL in 2009, finishing two places above the relegation zone, but could not stand the heat in 2010 as they were relegated from the top flight after posting just 18 points from a possible 90.
Bantu Rovers will be one of four Bulawayo-based sides in this year's PSL, the others being Highlanders, How Mine and Chicken Inn.
Tshintsha Guluva, as Bantu Rovers is affectionately known, got a ticket into the top flight after merging with former Zifa Southern Region Division One outfit, Plumtree Chiefs.
As part of the deal, Bantu Rovers would take up Plumtree Chiefs' premiership franchise, while Plumtree Chiefs would assume Bantu Rovers' slot in the Zifa Southern Region Division One league.
Yesterday, Bantu Rovers chairman Wilbert Sibanda, revealed that competition for a place in the premiership returnees' technical team for the upcoming season is so tight that even the Tshintsha Guluva founder, Ndlovu is one of the applicants for the gaffer's position.
"There is serious competition for positions on the final (technical) team.
"I will not reveal the names until Friday when we do our submissions to Zifa, but what I can tell you is that we are assembling a very strong technical bench where even Methembe (Ndlovu) is one of the applicants who submitted their curriculum vitae to be considered as coach," he said.
Ndlovu has a proven track record as a coach and was the Highlanders gaffer when the Bulawayo giants won the title in 2007, after which he formed Bantu Rovers, bankrolled by Grassroots Soccer, an organisation that is renowned for hiring football greats to inspire the younger generation in the fight against HIV/Aids.
Contacted for comment, Ndlovu said he is not in a position to answer any questions pertaining to his bid for the Bantu Rovers head coach's position, instead referring all questions to Sibanda.
Former Chicken Inn coach, Mandla ‘Lulu' Mpofu has also been touted to take the reins at the Bulawayo-based side, while Gift Lunga is also rumoured to be a potential coach.
"We haven't come up with a team for 2014, but I tell you this will be a serious team.
"People should wait and witness our first match then they will see our intentions, that we mean business," Sibanda said.
Bantu Rovers' last dance in the top flight lasted just two seasons.
Tshintsha Guluva survived their maiden season in the PSL in 2009, finishing two places above the relegation zone, but could not stand the heat in 2010 as they were relegated from the top flight after posting just 18 points from a possible 90.
Bantu Rovers will be one of four Bulawayo-based sides in this year's PSL, the others being Highlanders, How Mine and Chicken Inn.
Source - zimmail
