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Ricky Zililo Senior Sports Reporter
BULAWAYO Chiefs resumed training yesterday under the supervision of doctors, three weeks after surviving a near-fatal road accident that left 15 players and technical team members injured.

The Chiefs’ team bus overturned 80km from Hwange along the Bulawayo-Victoria Falls highway on May 13 while on their way to the resort town for a Zifa Southern Region Division One League match against Victoria Falls Tigers.

Zifa Southern Region decided to give Chiefs one month compassionate leave for their members to recover.

Chiefs’ director Lovemore Sibanda said they will wait for the medical team to give them the green light to intensify training.

“We’re just doing light work and waiting for the doctors to tell us if the coaches can up the intensity. We hope by next week we will be able to do full training because we’re aware that we’ve to play catch-up. Some of the guys needed surgery and we hope they’ll return before the transfer window,” said Sibanda.

Chiefs have spent about $10,000 on medical bills for the team.

“We’ve used the resources we had to get the guys treated while waiting for insurance to pay us. It’s not like the vehicle and the players weren’t insured, we had a comprehensive cover for the bus and passenger insurance that was up to date. I hope other teams in the league are insured so that they’re not found wanting when accidents happen,” he said.

The club’s caretaker coach Anzilom Ndlovu underwent an operation last week after suffering multiple fractures. Goalkeepers’ coach Nkosi Ncube and manager Farai Sibanda also suffered fractures.

Players that were seriously injured include Tatenda Madzino, who broke his arm, Qinani Sibanda with back pains, Sikhumbulani Dube, who had multiple fractures, former Highlanders and Caps United striker Thabani Moyo, who was badly hurt.

Mengezi Dube broke two ribs, while Joseph Mutambiranwa, Stanley Ngara, Ashton Mhlanga, Polite Moyo and Taloso Ndlovu all suffered fractures and bruises.

Table

P W D L F A GD Pts

Amagagasi 7 6 1 0 15 2 13 19

Bantu Rovers 7 6 0 1 13 2 11 18

ZPC Hwange 8 5 3 0 9 2 7 18

Bulawayo Chiefs 5 4 1 0 10 3 7 13

Bosso90 7 3 1 3 11 12 -1 10

Ntabazinduna 7 2 3 2 5 7 -2 9

Hwange Juniors 7 2 3 2 2 5 -3 9

Black Boots 8 2 2 4 8 9 -1 8

Talen Vision 9 2 2 5 5 11 -7 8

Technosphere 8 2 2 4 2 8 -6 8

ZRP Bulawayo 4 2 0 2 4 3 1 6

Casmyn 7 1 3 3 7 8 -1 6

Victoria Falls Tigers 5 2 0 3 6 9 -3 6

Indlovu Iyanyathela 6 2 0 4 5 9 -4 6

ZRP Hwange 8 1 2 5 6 12 -6 5

Makomo 7 1 1 5 4 9 -5 4