Chauya Chipembere on the mend

20 Jan, 2019 - 00:01 0 Views

The Sunday Mail

Don Makanyanga

AFTER finishing seventh in his maiden season in charge of Black Rhinos, soft spoken gaffer Herbert Maruwa is quietly assembling a powerful machine set to cause mayhem in the 2019 season.

Chauya Chipembere have been one of the active teams on the market having already roped in the former Dynamos duo of Marvellous Mukumba and Gift Saunyama as well as giant striker Francesco Zekumbawire who has joined the club from ZPC Kariba.

Moses Demera has joined Rhinos from ZPC Kariba and so has the unheralded centre back Andrew Tandi who was with Bulawayo Chiefs.

“I am confident with the players that we have already managed to sign.

“And while they will add depth to the team; we do not need to rely on individuals, but build a team that will help us achieve our target,” said Maruwa.

Black Rhinos’ technical team has also been boosted by the arrival of former Yadah Stars head coach Thomas Ruzive as Maruwa’s assistant.

“We needed to bolster our technical department and as a requirement we needed someone with experience and the requisite qualifications, hence we brought in (Thomas) Ruzive.

“He has the experience and I am confident of what he brings into the technical department,” said Maruwa.

The Rhinos gaffer has something to worry about though as veteran striker Lot Chiwunga is nursing a sheen injury sustained in a friendly match against Mushowani Stars last December.

Chauya Chipembere have also lost rising star Blessing Sarupinda to Caps United while enterprising central midfielder Donald Mudadi has joined 2018 Chibuku Super Cup champions Triangle FC. Goalkeeper Ashley Reyners is now at newly promoted Manica Diamonds.

“It’s difficult to start the season without one of your key players, hence we are doing whatever possible to cover up and add depth in all our departments,” said Maruwa.

The former DeMbare backroom staffer transformed Black Rhinos into a competitive outfit lasts season after taking over from Stanford Mtizwa at the beginning of the 2018 season.

He then guided Black Rhinos to a comfortable seventh position with 49 points. Maruwa reckons there will be need to work “extra hard” if Chauya Chipembere are to challenge for honours in the 2019 season.

“We need to work a bit extra hard if we are to improve from our last season’s rating. I believe and I am confident with what the club is doing all it can to help us the technical department to come up with a squad that will compete effectively this coming season,” said Maruwa.

The gaffer is not yet done on the market as more players could join the army side.

“The door is still wide open for more players but for now we will promote juniors as well as recall players we had loaned to other Defence Forces teams,” he said.

Share This:

Survey


We value your opinion! Take a moment to complete our survey

This will close in 20 seconds