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Mandla Manyathela

Sikhumbuzo Moyo, Senior Sports Reporter
TSHOLOTSHO FC have begun the hunt for a new coach to replace Lizwe Sweswe who tendered his resignation on Tuesday morning amid indications he will join Zvishavane outfit FC Platinum.

Sweswe has been at the helm of Tsholotsho’s technical setup since their Division Two days and led them to the Premier Soccer League in 2015.

FC Platinum confirmed talks with Sweswe, who is likely to be head coach Norman Mapeza’s assistant, as they launch yet another shot at the PSL title which has eluded them since their entry into the elite league in 2011.

Tsholotsho FC chairman Mandla Manyathela told Chronicle Sport yesterday that they would work flat out to find a suitable replacement for Sweswe.

“He (Sweswe) handed in his resignation letter yesterday morning (Tuesday) saying he was going for greener pastures and as a club we could not stand in his way. Our policy is that we don’t stand in anyone’s way, players included, as long as they are trying to better their lives. Again as Tsholotsho we certainly can’t compete with the likes of FC Platinum,” said Manyathela.

“So at the moment we are looking for his replacement; someone who can do the job for us because life has to go on. We don’t have any names for now, but in the next few days we might be having an idea of who will lead our technical bench.”

Assistant coach Farai Tawachera could have been an obvious choice to replace Sweswe, but recent pronouncements by Zifa that only Caf A licence holders can lead PSL teams rule him out.

Tawachera is presently in Harare attending a Caf A course alongside a host of other Caf B licence holders, who include the Caps United duo of head coach Lloyd Chitembwe and Mark Mathe, Highlanders’ assistant coach Amini Soma-Phiri and Harare City number two Mike Madzivanyika, among others.

Depending on when the results come out, Tawachera could still find himself in charge of Iziqholo zeZhwane.

“We are keeping the rest of the technical team members, Xolani Mafikela, goalkeepers’ coach Farai Sibanda, medic Sibusisiwe Mutunzi and Tawachera,” said Manyathela.

Nomadic coach Luke Masomere, Tavaka Gumbo, Partson Ndabambi and Amagagasi’s Zibonele Ncube are some of the coaches that were trending in the Tsholotsho circles yesterday.