Bulawayo Chiefs not pressing the panic button

Sports Reporter

THEY are renowned for breeding some of the most gifted footballers in the land, but Bulawayo Chiefs have often paid the price as they have automatically become a hunting ground for most Premier Soccer League teams.

Once again, Amakhosi Amahle begin the new season with another fresh headache of rebuilding their squad, as has become the norm at the Bulawayo-based side.

Since making their PSL debut in 2018, they have supplied scores of players to other teams, but their ability to regenerate has also allowed them to stay afloat.

Perfect Chikwende, Rainsome Pavari, Wallace Magalane, Ishmael Wadi, Arthur Musiyiwa, Shadreck Nyahwa, Polite Moyo, Moses and George Majika, Brandon Mpofu, Brighton Manhire, David Bizabani and Andrew Tandi are some of the notable players who had stints with the club before they were poached by fellow PSL sides.

Others, like the Moyo twins — Kelvin and Elvis — as well as Kelvin Madzongwe used Bulawayo Chiefs to relaunch their careers before attracting interest from other suitors.

The trio were part of the squad that won the 2022 Chibuku Super Cup, before they relocated to Harare.

The Moyo twins moved to Dynamos, while Madzongwe shifted base to CAPS United.

The team also lost more players in the run-up to the 2024 Castle Lager Premier Soccer League season.

Star striker Obriel Chirinda, Malvin Mkolo, Billy Veremu, Danny “Deco” Phiri, Ben Nyahunzvi, Ayanda Ncube, Mandlenkosi Gasela and the highly rated Mtokhozisi Msebe all left during the pre-season.

The side also parted ways with coach Johanisi Nhumwa, who led them to 13th position last season.

However, they are not pressing the panic button, even after suffering a 1-2 defeat at Green Fuel in their opening league fixture last weekend.

One of the reasons they are so confident is the return of coach Thulani Sibanda, the man who brought the team into the top-flight in 2018.

Sibanda, who has had an on-and-off relationship with the club, has returned after a stint at relegated Triangle United.

The firebrand gaffer is oozing with confidence ahead of today’s high-stakes clash against Highlanders at Barbourfields Stadium.

Bosso are bubbly after beating old rivals Dynamos 2-1 at the same venue last weekend, but the two sides have always served sumptuous football each time they clash at Babourfields.

“We are good at rebuilding; in fact, we can brag that we are talented in terms of talent identification,” said Sibanda.

Bulawayo Chiefs faced Green Fuel last weekend without several players, most of whom are new and were not yet registered with the Premier Soccer League.

Ghanaian Benjamin Addoey, Leeroy Ndlovu, Tadiwa Muchenje, Blessing Munkuli and Spencer Sikhosana are some of the new players who missed action in Chisumbanje.

“We are hoping to have those by Sunday (today), but our situation doesn’t intimidate us because we are good at what we do.

“Perhaps, because I am a teacher by profession, I see things differently,” said Sibanda.

“I believe there is a lot of unheralded talent in the Southern Region and other parts of the country which is not being tapped.

“As Chiefs, we can lose seven or eight players every year but we can still unearth more talent.”

He warned Highlanders to watch out for his latest discoveries.

Mpilo Dube, a 21-year-old left winger who was plucked from Filabusi, is being tipped to shine.  Makokoba-bred teenager Tafadzwa Mabhena and centre-back Nduduzi Maseko are some of the bright prospects now at Bulawayo Chiefs.

“This is the same way we discovered the likes of Msebe and Mkolo,” added Sibanda.

“Msebe was playing junior football for Bantu Leopards and we took him straight to the first team.

“Premier Soccer League coaches should find time to watch lower leagues or even junior leagues.

“Sadly, some of us are too proud to be seen at those low-key football matches.”

He believes a proper talent identification system could be the panacea to most of the problems faced by financially challenged teams.

“The problem with teams like Highlanders is that they want to compete on the market with financially sound clubs.

“You can’t beat them on the market, so you have to go deep into the rural areas, go into the high-density suburbs, there you will find your own talent.

“If you look at Magalane, I discovered him in Tekwani, in rural Plumtree. A village was playing another village and he was the keeper.

“Now he is at FC Platinum and is one of the best keepers in the country.”

Talent identification is a system that has worked for Bulawayo Chiefs, who play their 138th Premier Soccer League match today.

Fixtures

Chegutu Pirates v ZPC Kariba (Baobab), Bulawayo Chiefs v Highlanders (Barbourfields)