Ex- Bosso defender joins Bulawayo Chiefs
CALLS for the revival of the Hwange Amateur Football Association once known popularly as Wafa continue to get louder.
This week former Hwange goalkeeper Weekly Mwale called on the community to revive old village clubs ahead of the launch of the league this year. He said a vibrant Hwange amateur league would see more youths active in the game and that would widen the selection options for Hwange Football Club which has fared badly with players promoted to the senior team without much game time.
In the past players made their breakthrough into the local First Division in their teens and towards 18-19 they were promoted to the Hwange reserve where they teamed up with some of the senior players to turn out for the Colliery in the Reserve League and Chamber of Mines.
By the time they played for Chipangano, they would have played over 50 high-intensity matches and dealt with “away match fever.”
“We have to revive village teams like Brazil and Kabwe Warriors,” said Mwale.
These teams provided Hwange with players like Jimmy Sibanda, Barton Mwalukuka, Francis Mwinga, Barton Mwalukuka, Posani Sibanda, Rodrick Simwanza, Isaac Phiri and Skeva Phiri.
The local league has been defunct for almost two decades and that has left young players to join the social soccer ranks where they get lost to the game as they pick up bad habits like drinking and smoking.
A Hwange resident who grew up at a time when there was a vibrant Wafa, James Simwanza said the introduction of the Area Zone League will be a big boost to the community and soccer-loving youths.
“I am born and bred in Hwange. I like what guys like Weekly Mwale, Aleck Nyoni, and Taboniswa Ncube all our local legends are talking about here. They want us to revive the old football vibe of our town, perhaps we may unearth more talent when we have more boys playing structured football,” said Simwanza.
He said while the Matabeleland North Division Two League was
FORMER Highlanders defender Charlton Siamalonga has joined Bulawayo Chiefs from Premiership new boys Arenel FC.
The defender was a vital cog in Arenel winning the Southern Region Division One League last season, without a loss.
His performances caught the eye of the Chiefs who have made a move for the defender.
The decision comes as a bit of a surprise since Arenel administrator Juma Phiri could neither deny nor confirm the update but said they were in the process of engaging all their players from last season to stay with the club.
“We are talking with all the boys in the hope of not losing them to other teams and we are hopeful we will retain our key players,” said Phiri.
For Chiefs, the transfer-window is set to be a busy one as they hope to keep their best talent from last season.
Key players Mthokozisi Msebe, Obriel Chirinda and Billy Vheremu are all linked with moves away from the club.
Of the trio, only Chirinda has pledged his loyalty to Chiefs while out of contract Msebe is believed to be on his way to Chicken Inn.
Vheremu is said to have agreed terms with Simba Bhora.
Chiefs are set to be under the tutelage of Thulani Sibanda this season having parted ways with Johanisi Nhumwa.
Former champions FC Platinum have also been busy
a welcome development, itself presented a vacuum where those who could not afford to travel out of town and had nowhere and no one to play.
“For a while, it would be jogging our memories down memory lane when we remember reviving some of the great clubs. The template will however be different and we call on coal mining companies here in Hwange to come forward and sponsor transport and tournaments. In the past we had a league and the Wankie General Manager’s Trophy, if our new mines can replicate that, Hwange football will come of age and we pray they extend the same helping hand to our Chipangano too,” said Simwanza whose father Rodrick was capped four times at Independence and was one of the top stars of the Rhodesia National Football League in the 1970s with in the market managing to get the signatures of Mbongeni Ndlovu and midfielder Brighton Mhanhire. FC Platinum have also lost Perfect Chikwende who will turn out for Simba Bhora.
Manica Diamonds have also lured Kudzanai Dhemere into their ranks. The Gamecocks have settled for Hwange captain Kelly Shiyandindi and striker Brighton Makopa.
The 2015 league champions are set to have veteran gaffer Joey “Mafero” Antipas bounce back to their technical bench come 2024. The club has reportedly decided to part ways with Prince Matore and Farai Tawarechera.
Weekly Mwale
appearances on the Soccer Star of the Year calendar.
Local league football in Hwange was once the heartbeat of the town.