mbulelo smpofu
Innocent Kurira
BULAWAYO Chiefs will announce their new head coach today with former Zifa technical director Wilson Mutekede, Bekithemba Ndlovu and veteran coach Maxwell Takaendesa Jongwe favourites to land the post.
Chiefs, who got relegated from the topflight league last season, parted ways with Thulani Sibanda at the end of the season.
His contract, which ended on December 31 was not renewed with indications that both parties agreed to go their separate ways.
The club, targeting a quick return to the Premier Soccer League (PSL) are holding trials at Chiefs Village as they hope to build a formidable side, which will compete in the Zifa Southern Region Division One League.
Over 100 players attended the trials yesterday with the majority being new and yet to be established players. Most of the players from last season were not in attendance as the proper pre-season programme for the team begins next Monday.
Bulawayo Chiefs media officer, Allen Mpofu, said the announcement of the new coach will be made in the coming days.
“We have started trials, which are being overseen by some of the technical team members from last season. Our search for a new coach has concluded and we will be making an announcement in the next coming days,” said Mpofu.
Chiefs will face competition from the likes of Hwange and Arenel for a place back in the top-flight league.
However, Chiefs are poised to re-sign two of their former players, Simba Bhora defender Malvin Mkolo and Dynamos midfielder, Arthur Musiyiwa.
According to sources, the duo has met with the Bulawayo Chiefs leadership and agreed to re-join the team.
Mkolo and Musiyiwa were part of the Bulawayo Chiefs team that won the Chibuku Super Cup trophy in 2022.
However, they have struggled to establish themselves as regular first-team players at Simba Bhora and Dynamos, respectively. Musiyiwa has already left Dynamos while Mkolo’s future remains uncertain.
Chiefs were forced to rebuild their team mid-season last year.
This was a period that saw the duo of Tatenda Ndlovu and Malvin Sithole leave to join Wangu Mazodze in the Central Region Division One League while Nkosiyabo Masilela and the experienced Xolisani Moyo joined TelOne.
Masilela is said to have been on the Highlanders radar before eventually settling for TelOne. Highlanders got Never Rauzhi on loan while defender and captain Malvern Hativagoni joined Ngezi Platinum. Midfielder, Moses Muchenje suffered a long term injury. —@innocentskizoe
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