Sports / Local
Methembe Ndlovu to coach Bantu Rovers
21 Mar 2014 at 09:43hrs | Views
Bantu Rovers have bolstered their squad by adding big guns who have top-flight football experience such as Obadiah Tarumbwa, Zephaniah Ngodzo and Lawson 'Lolo' Nkomo, while former Highlanders FC coach Methembe Ndlovu will be taking charge of the team, while Mandla 'Lulu' Mpofu is the assistant coach.
The new players were spotted practising with the Tshintsha Guluva, as Bantu Rovers is affectionately known at Luveve Stadium yesterday in preparation for the 2014 season that is set to kick-off on April 5.
The team's chairman, Wilbert Sibanda said he is still holding on to the names of the final team card.
"We are not ready yet to reveal the names in our final team; we will inform you when the right time comes as you can see that we are still trying our players," said Sibanda.
"All I can do is to invite everyone to come and watch Bantu Rovers this season because we will be the team to watch."
Sibanda said Bantu Rovers have retained the majority of the players that represented the club in last year's Zifa Southern Region Division One league, but added a few more players with PSL experience to what would be the final team.
Bantu Rovers went into a deal with Plumtree Chiefs, who had won the PSL ticket at the end of the 2013 Division One campaign. As part of the deal, Bantu Rovers would take up Plumtree Chiefs' PSL slot, with the latter reverting to Division One.
The Tshintsha Guluva chairman however confirmed that players such as Tarumbwa, Ngodzo and Nkomo would be in the first team that will clash against their former team Highlanders and among other PSL teams this season.
Tarumbwa, a former Highlanders striker who has also had stints in Belgium, Kenya, joined Bantu Rovers from Absa Premiership outfit, University of Pretoria, which is affectionately known as ‘Tuks', after his contract with the club was terminated early this year.
Another player with international experience that found favour with the premiership returnees is Tafadzwa Kutinyu, who was recently offloaded by Botswana BeMoblie League side, Notwane FC.
Fellow new signings, Ngodzo and Nkomo, add experience to the Bantu Rovers defence as their PSL experience will be pivotal in ensuring that the team's bid for a longer stay in the top flight is successful.
Bantu Rovers are the fourth club that Ngodzo has represented in the PSL, the others being fellow Bulawayo sides Highlanders, Chicken Inn and Zvishavane-based FC Platinum.
Other players that are likely to feature in the Tshintsha Guluva final squad are the team's U20 centre-back Teenage Hadebe, former Black Mambas player Tafadzwa Maipe Ngwena, who is also the U20 captain.
Bantu Rovers have also added former Triangle United goalminder Brighton Chipula.
Ocean Mpofu made the switch from How Mine, Moses Majika who joined the side from Plumtree Chiefs, Proud Zireni and Josephe Museve are also set to be among Bantu Rovers' selected 30.
The new players were spotted practising with the Tshintsha Guluva, as Bantu Rovers is affectionately known at Luveve Stadium yesterday in preparation for the 2014 season that is set to kick-off on April 5.
The team's chairman, Wilbert Sibanda said he is still holding on to the names of the final team card.
"We are not ready yet to reveal the names in our final team; we will inform you when the right time comes as you can see that we are still trying our players," said Sibanda.
"All I can do is to invite everyone to come and watch Bantu Rovers this season because we will be the team to watch."
Sibanda said Bantu Rovers have retained the majority of the players that represented the club in last year's Zifa Southern Region Division One league, but added a few more players with PSL experience to what would be the final team.
Bantu Rovers went into a deal with Plumtree Chiefs, who had won the PSL ticket at the end of the 2013 Division One campaign. As part of the deal, Bantu Rovers would take up Plumtree Chiefs' PSL slot, with the latter reverting to Division One.
The Tshintsha Guluva chairman however confirmed that players such as Tarumbwa, Ngodzo and Nkomo would be in the first team that will clash against their former team Highlanders and among other PSL teams this season.
Tarumbwa, a former Highlanders striker who has also had stints in Belgium, Kenya, joined Bantu Rovers from Absa Premiership outfit, University of Pretoria, which is affectionately known as ‘Tuks', after his contract with the club was terminated early this year.
Another player with international experience that found favour with the premiership returnees is Tafadzwa Kutinyu, who was recently offloaded by Botswana BeMoblie League side, Notwane FC.
Fellow new signings, Ngodzo and Nkomo, add experience to the Bantu Rovers defence as their PSL experience will be pivotal in ensuring that the team's bid for a longer stay in the top flight is successful.
Bantu Rovers are the fourth club that Ngodzo has represented in the PSL, the others being fellow Bulawayo sides Highlanders, Chicken Inn and Zvishavane-based FC Platinum.
Other players that are likely to feature in the Tshintsha Guluva final squad are the team's U20 centre-back Teenage Hadebe, former Black Mambas player Tafadzwa Maipe Ngwena, who is also the U20 captain.
Bantu Rovers have also added former Triangle United goalminder Brighton Chipula.
Ocean Mpofu made the switch from How Mine, Moses Majika who joined the side from Plumtree Chiefs, Proud Zireni and Josephe Museve are also set to be among Bantu Rovers' selected 30.
Source - zimmail
