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Tonisani Sibelo

Sikhumbuzo Moyo and Lovemore Zigara, Sports Reporter
FORMER Hwange and Triangle United attacking defender Tonisani Sibelo has found a new home at the recently promoted Premiership side Nichrut.

Sibelo, a talented defender who started his career in the coal mining town before a short stint in Bulawayo with Chicken Inn, had been clubless after severing ties with the Lowveld based Triangle United in the just ended season under unclear circumstances.

“I have signed for Nichrut and I hope to add my mark in the club and help them achieve many things in the big league, top of which will be avoiding relegation,” said Sibelo.

Meanwhile, the John Nyikadzino-coached side might see themselves using Ascot Stadium next season as their preferred home ground needs major renovations.

The biggest hint that the Shurugwi based side might use Ascot Stadium was when the Gweru City Council made a resolution to give the club the greenlight to use the venue for its 2018 sojourn.

Gweru mayor Charles Chikozho confirmed that the local authority had acceded to the club’s request for the use of the facility.

“They (Nichrut) gave us a letter and it went through the relevant channels before it came through the full council meeting. There is a resolution to the effect that they use Ascot Stadium as their home venue,” he said.

However, Nichrut president Nicholas Gara remained adamant his side will use Peak Mine Stadium but did not rule out a rescue plan.

“We want to give our Shurugwi fans a taste of premiership football and for us we are still trying to mobilise resources to ensure that Peak Mine meets the PSL minimum standards. However, we will still look at the other options available,” said Gara.

Peak Mine Stadium needs a major overhaul from the access road which needs to be widened; a new dressing room and ablution facilities that need to be built together with a precast wall to surround the facility are among the major developments which need to be done.

Under the Fifa Club Licensing System, a club must have certification of stadium, stadium control centre, a stadium with a minimum seating capacity of 5 000, classification of spectator areas, first aid and doping room, field of play specifications, stadium sanitary facilities, facilities for spectators with special needs and a lease agreement that guarantees use of facilities.— @lavuzigara1