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Sikhumbuzo Moyo, Senior Sports Reporter
WHEN Rugare Dobbie, the Hwange Colliery Company’s corporate affairs manager came out in this publication in October last year assuring the Hwange FC supporters that the team will never be abandoned, very few, if any might have believed the soft but firm talking lady then. For it was almost during the time that all looked gloomy at the giant coalminer with talk growing everyday that the company might discard its football club just like what happened to the once mighty athletics department.

“Hwange FC will never walk alone; we are with the club through thick and thin and our supporters need to be assured of that commitment,” said Dobbie, in October last year, as it was apparent that relegation for the team was imminent.

Confirmation of relagation had to come at the hands of ZPC Kariba exactly a month later when the coalminers lost 0-2 to the electricity men at Nyamhunga Stadium.

Like death of someone who would have been bed ridden but loved, a dark cloud hung over the entire Hwange town when Chipangano kissed goodbye to the Premier Soccer League with that defeat to ZPC Kariba.

But fast forward to November 2018 when second placed Tsholotsho visited the Colliery Stadium for a top of the table Zifa Southern Region Division One clash against Hwange, the mood turned electric when the team bounced back into the elite league courtesy of a 1-0 win over Iziqholo zeZhwane with two games to spare.

“We are back and back with a bang. I am happy for the players and everyone involved in this noble Hwange FC project,” head coach and club legend Nation Dube said soon after their win over a clearly resolute Tsholotsho.

Club chairman Butholezwe Dube said they will not be making up numbers this time around.

“It is a big day for Hwange community as we received our coronation in front of our loyal fans who supported us throughout. We will work on the team and ensure we also fight for honours next year so that the other stakeholders who are assisting in sponsoring the team are gratified,” said Dube.