Clive Thabo Dube
THE current economic outlook continues to cripple many- a- sports team in the country.
The stories in the media about their failure to pay players even cost them their shirt sponsor, MWOS. A big example would be a story of flamboyant Premier Soccer League (PSL) Club, Bulawayo Chiefs who have been hogging the headlines because of their financial distress.
Zim GBC News caught up with the club’s Media Officer Thulani “Javas” Sibanda who allayed fears that the ‘Twitter Kings’ may follow in the footsteps of clubs like Amazulu, Monomotapa, Gunners, Rail Stars and Motor Action into the football graveyard.
“2022 ended very badly for us, but that gave us as a club a lot of lessons and as we enter the 2023 season, we will take those lessons with us and make sure that history does not repeat itself. We will leave all the bad behind us and keep on going strong, and do not go through the same struggles of the previous year (financial woes),” said the ‘Twitter Kings’ media officer.
“The team is going forward, Bulawayo Chiefs is still here and we are here to compete. Behind the scenes we are putting together a team that will be a force to be reckoned with this season.” He added.
The flashy Bulawayo based outfit who where crowned the Chibuku Super Cup Champions last season are currently renovating former Amazulu Club House into what they now term the Bulawayo Chiefs Village.
“We are rebranding and keeping up with international standards to release a new kit every year and we are also renovating our sporting facility. The club is moving forward and we want to play at our own stadia and have our players training at Bulawayo Chiefs very own ground,” said Sibanda.
The Ninjas will also be under former Tsholotsho FC coach Lizwe Sweswe who took over from the expatriated coach Nilton Terroso. Sweswe who was in charge of another ambitious Bulawayo outfit Talen Vision last season seems bullish about taking on another challenge as head coach in the top flight.
He previously led the technical team at the now defunct Tsholotsho FC in the 2013-14 season where he earned promotion to PSL.