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Professor Jonathan Moyo greetsTsholotsho FC players in this file photo

Sports Reporter
TSHOLOTSHO North MP and Higher and Tertiary Education, Science and Technology Development Minister Professor Jonathan Moyo has hailed Tsholotsho FC’s successful fight against relegation as a huge achievement for a team from a hardcore rural community.

Tsholotsho retained their Premiership status on the final day of the league when they held Harare City 1-1 at White City Stadium while Buffaloes fell 0-1 to former champions Dynamos to bow out of the topflight league.

Tsholotsho became the first team from a rural community to be promoted into the country’s topflight league since independence in 1980 and Prof Moyo, who is also the club’s patron, praised them for surviving relegation.

Tsholotsho FC pushed to play their Premiership home games at the rural-based Mbute ground in the district when they were promoted into the topflight, but were turned down and opted for White City Stadium in Bulawayo as their “home ground”.

“It’s what making history is all about. Even more spellbinding is the unprecedented fact that Tsholotsho FC survived the league in which four teams were relegated by playing all their games away from their Tsholotsho home. No other team has ever achieved this,” said Prof Moyo.

“It’s self-evident from the team’s history making performance in 2015 that it would have achieved wonders had it been able to play its home games in Tsholotsho as we had earlier hoped they would. Personally, I’m happy that I was able to modestly assist where and when I could to ensure that the heavy burden of the team’s budgetary and logistical requirements is shared.”

Prof Moyo consistently chipped in to assist Tsholotsho with their accommodation and meal expenses for their away fixtures, and yesterday reiterated that the construction of Tsholotsho Stadium remains a priority.

A ground breaking ceremony for the construction of Tsholotsho Stadium was held in March this year and actual work was expected to have been completed before the start of the second half of the Premiership season in July, but it would seem that spanners were thrown into the works, delaying the entire project.

Despite the delays, Prof Moyo declared that Iziqholo zeZhwane would definitely have a multi-purpose stadium sooner rather than later.

“Tsholotsho detractors should prepare to eat their hearts out because a stadium will be constructed for Tsholotsho FC come rain or shine.

“In the meantime, the people of Tsholotsho and football loving compatriots elsewhere have reason to celebrate the indelible history that Tsholotsho FC has written and the breathtaking milestones it has achieved against all odds as a rural team with no sponsorship.

“Glorious days lie ahead. Tsholotsho FC will never ever look back again. Endleleni ngenkani. Phambili leTsholotsho!”

Once complete, Tsholotsho Stadium is expected to rival Mandava Stadium in Zvishavane and will help Iziqholo zeZhwane to considerably reduce costs and generate revenue through gatetakings and stadium advertising.