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Ricky Zililo Senior Sports Reporter
RELEGATED Premiership side Bantu Rovers FC have declared that they will be back in the topflight in 2016 as they are going down with all their players to Zifa Southern Region Division One Soccer League. The ambitious Bulawayo club was axed from the elite league alongside Chiredzi FC, Shabanie Mine and Black Rhinos.

Bantu Rovers’ associate coach Mandla Mpofu yesterday revealed that they won’t be releasing any of their players and will take them to the unfashionable Division One for their fight back.

“Being relegated is part of the game but what I must say is that we are down but certainly not out. This is not the end of Bantu Rovers and come 2016, we will be back in the Premiership.

“What aids our case is the vote of confidence from the players most of whom renewed their stay with the club meaning we will have a strong squad for the PSL comeback fight,” Mpofu said.

Tshintsha Guluva have a mixture of experience and youth in their ranks which will be key in their bid for an early Premiership return.

There were rumours that they are keen on Tsholotsho FC’s franchise but they have been told hands off by the Zhwane crew who want to enjoy their sweat in the topflight.

Tshintsha Guluva are also said to be courting Whawhwa FC.

“I haven’t heard about plans to acquire a franchise and from the last meeting that we had with the general-manager Wilbert Sibanda the message was that we have to prepare for Division One.

“Like I said, from a technical point of view Bantu Rovers is ready to fight its way back to the Premiership with the players that are there,” said Mpofu.

In their bid for a quick return, Bantu Rovers will be without Herbert Dick who has since called it a day as a player and there is still uncertainty about the futures of Zephaniah Ngodzo and ObAdiah Tarumbwa whose contracts expire at the end of December.

Even without the trio, Tshintsha Guluva have managed to build a strong squad with their defence likely to be built around Teenage Hadebe with most sought-after Nqobizitha Masuku and Denzel Khumalo being vital cogs in midfield while Bukhosi “Zakhu” Sibanda and Lenience Mpofu will be expected to lead the attack.

They also have juniors like Onwell Gombami and Lucky Ndlela who have a bright future and playing in Division One will mould them into better players.