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Norman Maroto

Ricky Zililo Sports Reporter
FORMER Premiership side Bantu Rovers have made their intentions of bouncing back to the elite league clear by vying for experienced personnel including ex-Highlanders and FC Platinum’s goalkeepers’ coach Peter “Oxo” Nkomo. Nkomo who has had a coaching stint in Botswana will work with head coach Johannes Ngodzo in leading the ambitious Bulawayo outfit’s Zifa Southern Region Division One Soccer League’s campaign.
Bantu Rovers are on position six with 22 points from 14 games and trail run-away leaders Bulawayo Chiefs by 12 points with 16 rounds of matches before the season ends.

The ex-Premiership team has also signed Fortune “Fokoza” Ncube formerly with Lancashire Steel, Black Mambas and Bulawayo Chiefs. Veteran and nomadic player Chipo Tsodzo has been training with Bantu Rovers and yesterday they were expecting to be joined by FC Platinum’s duo of striker Norman Maroto and national Under-20 midfielder Edmore Tsoro.

Bantu Rovers’ spokesman Wilbert Sibanda is confident that their new signings will add value to their quest of landing the Zifa Southern Region Division One Soccer League title.

“We might be down on the log table but we are certainly not out of the championship race and that is why we have brought in some of the experienced guys who we believe share the same vision as us. We believe that our chances of winning promotion are bright and it all depends on us.
“Our problem has been that of an impotent strike force but with new signings, I think those problems have been addressed,” Sibanda said.

Bantu Rovers have a tricky game this weekend as they play host to Zimbabwe Saints on Sunday.
Chikwata have since found a new lease of life since hiring former Highlanders’ juniors coach Mark Mathe who has won three out of his four matches in charge.

Under Mathe, Zimbabwe Saints beat a hapless Bulawayo Jumbos 2-0, lost by the same scoreline to Technosphere, picked maximum points with a 2-1 victory over Mkhosana and edged Ajax Hotspurs 3-2

Chikwata are now on position eight tied on 21 points with ZPC Hwange and a victory against Bantu Rovers will see them move up the ladder.
Mathe who believes that all the top eight teams on the log have a fair chance of winning the championship is looking forward to the game.

“We do not want to think far ahead in terms of competition as our major focus is on our next game. The guys have been working hard and we hope to maintain our consistency,” Mathe said.

Another exciting fixture is on the cards tomorrow when Bulawayo Chiefs take on Quelaton at Fairbridge.
Quelaton have amassed 25 points and trail their weekend opponents by nine points.

It’s a battle of the uniformed forces at Brad Barracks tomorrow where struggling Bulawayo Jumbos will lock horns with title chasing Black Boots.
Fixtures

Tomorrow: Quelaton v Bulawayo Chiefs (Fairbridge, 12pm), ZPC Hwange v Tsholotsho (Hwange), Technosphere v Hwange Juniors (Hwange), Bulawayo Jumbos v Black Boots (Brad Barracks), New West v Mpumalanga (Portuguese, 12pm), Ntabazinduna v Rufaro Rovers (Ntabazinduna)
Sunday: Ajax Hotspurs v Mkhosana (White City, 11am), Bantu Rovers v Zimbabwe Saints (Luveve, 12pm)