DO YOU remember Zimbabwe Saints? Well, the former champions are dreaming big and intend to buy the franchise of disbanded Eastern Region side Hippo Valley.
SUKOLUHLE MTHETHWA SPORTS REPORTER
Hippo Valley were promoted into the Premier Soccer League (PSL) this season, but disbanded early this month with reports that sponsors Tongaat Hulett said they could not afford to bankroll two teams to play in the PSL as they also sponsor Triangle.
Chikwata, as Zimbabwe Saints are affectionately known, play in the Zifa Southern Region Division One league having last had a dance in the PSL in 2011 when they acquired Chitungwiza-based Eagles’ franchise brokered by former Young Warriors manager Eddie Chivero.
Zimbabwe Saints organising secretary Jabulani Chinyangarara yesterday told Southern Eye Sport that nothing tangible has come out of the negotiations.
“As of now there is nothing concrete because negotiations are still going on. For now I have nothing much to say except that we understand that the Hippo Valley community is said not to be happy about the deal,” he said.
Hippo Valley chairman Tarisai Mudambanuki, however, denied any links to Chikwata.
“Nobody from Zimbabwe Saints has approached us and no one from that club has spoken to me about it because I am the chairman. All I know is that we are merging with Triangle to form one team that will be sponsored by Tongaat Hulett,” he said.
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An impeccable source in the PSL also confirmed that Chikwata were interested in Hippo Valley’s franchise.
“Saints are on the verge of buying the Hippo Valley franchise,” the source said.
Hippo Valley coach Moses Chunga has claimed that come 2014 they will be playing in the PSL and the community will take on the duties of sponsoring the club. The region is yet to disclose their plans on the franchise, but it is likely it will remain in Chiredzi.
Chikwata, once one of the country’s biggest football clubs, had the likes of former national team star Agent Sawu, Henry McKop, Ephraim Chawanda, Ronald “Gidiza” Sibanda and Muzondiwa Mugadza.
They were crowned champions in 1988. This year, they finished the Division One league on position 10 on the log table with 39 points from 30 games while eventual winners Bulawayo Chiefs ended the season with 66 points from the same number of games.
If the deal sails through they will join Bulawayo teams which include Highlanders, Chicken Inn, How Mine and newly promoted Plumtree Chiefs.
