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Lizwe Sweswe

Sikhumbuzo Moyo Senior Sports Reporter
TSHOLOTSHO FC have started hunting for a goalkeeper after surviving the chop in a dramatic way on the last day of the season following their 1-1 draw with Harare City at White City Stadium on Saturday. For a while all the players remained silent while club management were busy on their cell phones trying to get an update on the result at Sakubva Stadium where fellow relegation-fighting side, Buffaloes were taking on Dynamos. When news filtered through that The Glamour boys had won 1-0, the whole stadium went into a delirium.

Coach Lizwe Sweswe though has already started his 2016 plans and says a goalkeeper will add the needed impetus in his squad.

“I think I need a goalkeeper for next season just to add some competition, I’m generally happy with the boys I have and our survival helped us a lot. These boys have been together since the lower league days and relegation would have badly affected them,” said Sweswe. He said he was likely to add one in-field player as well but would generally keep all his players.

Meanwhile, relegated Buffaloes coach Saul Chaminuka has refused to take responsibility for the Mutare based side’s demise but instead feels the community did not fully support the team. Buffaloes were relegated from the Castle Lager Premier Soccer League on Saturday after losing 0-1 to Dynamos having missed a penalty in the same match. Their loss to the former champions meant the result between fellow relegation candidates then Tsholotsho and Harare City was now of academic interest only.

“I refuse to take responsibility for the team’s relegation; the community should be blamed as I feel they didn’t give enough support to the boys. I’ll however stay with the team in Division One and hope to make a quick return to the Premiership,” said the Warriors’ assistant gaffer.

The former coach of the year said the team’s unhealthy financial position also had a hand as the boys were at times low in spirit.

“The financial position of the club isn’t really pleasing even though the executive is passionate about the game. The boys soldiered on which is the reason why I feel I should stay with them in Division One. We might loan one or two players,” said the former ZPC Kariba mentor.