HWANGE FC yesterday announced a 26-member squad for the 2015 Castle Lager Premier Soccer League (PSL) season retaining their key players while Chicken Inn, How Mine and newly-promoted side Whawha said they would be ready today.
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The PSL registration deadline is today. Hwange only lost fringe players Oscar Lungu and Richard Jongwe, while promoting three juniors.
They have Nkosana Siwela, Farai Vimisayi, Talent Chamboko, Craven Banda, Tafara Chese, veteran goalkeeper Timothy Sibanda, Rodwell Chinyengetere and striker Gilbert Zulu in their books.
Gift Mbweti an attacking midfielder, Innocent Mucheneka a holding midfielder and goalkeeper Future Sibanda were promoted from the junior ranks while London Zulu has returned to Hwange from Shabanie Mine.
Hwange coach Nation Dube said he was happy with his squad.
“We are registering 26 players for the 2015 season,” he said.
“The reason why we are not registering 30 players is we want juniors to be playing in the Division One League. It doesn’t help for us to register them and they don’t play. If they play in Division One they will be competitive.
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“Our aim is to improve from last year’s performance.”
The PSL requires teams to register 25 senior and five developmental players. Meanwhile, other PSL teams are yet to provide their lists.
PSL debutants Tsholotsho FC secretary-general Melody Ndlovu said she was not in a position to provide the squad to Southern Eye Sport.
“We don’t have anything to give you, but we will provide the names when the season starts. I am actually on leave,” she said — a very bad start in terms of media relations for the newly-promoted side. It flies in the face of PSL boss Twine Phiri’s call yesterday that the media and PSL are partners in promoting football.
Chicken Inn secretary Tavengwa Hara said they would announce the squad today.
“We are yet to receive the list of players from the technical team. We should have the squad by tomorrow (today,” he said.
The GameCocks promoted Amos Ncube, Thulani Nxusani, Musa Phiri, Tambudzai Ngulube and Brighton Manhire. Wandile Ndlovu will join Elvis Chipezeze and Pride Zendera in the goalkeeping department.
They have retained senior players who include Mkhokheli Dube, Thabani Goredema, Moses Jackson, Danny Phiri, Divine Lunga, Canaan Nkomo and Clemence Matawu.
By yesterday afternoon, How Mine coach Luke Masomere said they were still finalising their squad.
“We are racing against time. The deadline is tomorrow morning (today) the registration papers are supposed to go to Harare so we have to finalise today (yesterday),” he said.
But all seems in order at How Mine as they have acquired the former Dynamos midfielders Devon Chafa and Tawanda Muparati, Tapuwa Kumbuyani from Caps United, 2014 soccer star of the year runner-up Limited Chikafa from ZPC Kariba and returnee Benjamin Marere.
How Mine acquired former Highlanders goalkeeper Munyaradzi Diya, attacking midfielder Charles Sibanda and striker Mgcini Sibanda while Moses Gutu from Buffaloes and Nefitara Ndale from Masvingo United also joined the team. Whawha technical advisor Lloyd Mutasa said they would name the squad today.
“We are finalising the squad. It should be ready by tomorrow (today),” he said.
Hwange final squad Goalkeepers: Timothy Sibanda, Takabva Mawaya, London Zulu, Future Sibanda
Defenders: Gerald Ndlovu, Munyaradzi Mungadze, David Boriwondo, Phakamani Dube, Thonisani Sibelo, Maqhawe Mpofu
Midfielders: Andrew Chuma, Tafara Chese, Collen Muleya, Nkosana Siwela, Isaac Masame, Innocent Mucheneka, Gift Mbweti, Farayi Vimisayi, Talent Chamboko, Craven Banda, Rodwell Chinyengetere
Strikers: Gilbert Zulu, Evans Rusike, Newman Sianchali, Aleck Marime, Pritchard Mphelele
