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Ricky Zililo Sports Reporter
BANTU Rovers FC have appointed former national team goalie Ephraim Mazarura as their goalkeepers’ coach.
Tshintsha Guluva are hoping the 28-year-old Mazarura — part of Warriors’ squad at the 2004 Africa Cup of Nations finals in Tunisia — will use his experience to groom their young goalminders.

The former Black Rhinos FC goalkeeper boasts of experience gained from his Democratic Republic of Congo and Swaziland stints.

He joins Bantu Rovers after being dumped by How Mine who preferred Young Warriors’ Donovan Bernard, ex-Bosso number one Munyaradzi Diya and Nonjabulo Dube.

Mazarura will be training three first team goalkeepers Eddy Ndlovu, Trevor Matavi and Prince Phiri. Occasionally, the ex-Warriors goalkeeper will attend to junior teams.

Before joining Bantu Rovers as goalkeepers’ coach, Mazarura had been club hunting in Harare.

“Mazarura has been training our goalkeepers here at Bantu Rovers. He started last week and his drills have brought a difference to our goalkeepers and it seems the management is happy with his contributions,” said a source at Bantu Rovers.

This publication has it on good authority that Mazarura’s application for a coaches’ licence was received at the Zifa headquarters in Harare yesterday.

Mazarura joins a technical team that has former national team players Johannes “Tshisa” Ngodzo, who is the head coach and Chipo Tsodzo the assistant.

Bantu Rovers’ president Methembe Ndlovu is the team’s technical director.

Wilbert Sibanda, the Bantu Rovers general manager confirmed that Mazarura is part of their technical team but could not be drawn into revealing details of his contract.

Mazarura’s first official game as a coach is on Saturday when Bantu Rovers take on ZPC Hwange at Luveve Stadium.

Having lost a host of experienced players in the form of Obidiah Tarumbwa, Nqobizitha Masuku, Teenage Hadebe, Raphael Kutinyu and goalkeeper Takunda Mutanga to Highlanders and Chicken Inn, Bantu Rovers are still among the championship favourites.

They’ve assembled a youthful side that is capable of challenging for top honours.

However, they must brace for a stiff challenge from clubs like Bulawayo City, perennial campaigners Black Boots, last season’s runners-up Technosphere and Bulawayo Chiefs.

Bulawayo City have an experienced technical team led by 2009 Premiership Coach of the Year Philani “Beefy” Ncube.

They have also bolstered their side with experienced players like goalkeeper Ndodana Sibanda, Innocent Kutsanzira, strikers Qinani Sibanda and Mkhululi Moyo as well as Makhosi Ncube.

Bulawayo City open their account with a home tie against Indlovu Iyanyathela at White City on Saturday.

The Kudzai Mutuda-coached Black Boots will be away to Mpumalanga in Hwange while Technosphere clash with Makomo in a Hwange derby at Lwendulu.

Bulawayo Chiefs completes Week One fixtures on Sunday when they faceoff with Casmyn at White City.

Fixtures

Saturday: Bulawayo City v Indlovu Iyanyathela (White City), Bantu Rovers v ZPC Hwange (Luveve), Amagagasi v Trumus (Chinotimba), Ntabazinduna v Nust (Ntabazinduna), Old Nic Mine v Hwange Juniors (Old Nic Mine), Mpumalanga v Black Boots (Nengasha), Technosphere v Makomo (Lwendulu)

Sunday: Bulawayo Chiefs v Casmyn (White City)