The Sunday News
TSHOLOTSHO FC have being given everything to play for this afternoon at Barbourfields Stadium when they face off with Caps United with Minister of Information, Media and Broadcasting Services, Professor Jonathan Moyo offering to double their bonuses if they win today’s Castle Lager Premier Soccer League match.
Moyo dangled “the carrot” to Tsholotsho FC chairman, Mlamuli Phiri during the Sipepa Sports and Cultural Gala held here yesterday.
Tsholotsho have been struggling to amass points and are lurking in the relegation zone, but Phiri said Prof Moyo’s gesture would go a long way in motivating the players to conjure a positive results against a visiting Caps United side buoyed by recent positive developments that saw Harare businessman Farai Jele take over the reigns.
The Tsholotsho players will each walk away $200 richer if they win today’s game as their usual bonus for a win is $100.
“This is a very welcome offer from Prof Moyo and it provides extra motivation for the boys to collect maximum points today. I believe they were always going to work hard for a victory today but this offer will spur them on,” said Phiri, adding that they were obviously worried about their position on the log.
“Being in the bottom four is not ideal and we should work hard to change our fortunes. We have trust in the coach and players and I think we can start climbing up the log. I would like to extend my gratitude to Professor Moyo as he has been giving assistance to the team and his latest offer will certainly help us,” he said.
Prof Moyo is heading the building of a football stadium in Tsholotsho, which would meet Premier Soccer League standards and allow Tsholotsho FC to play their home games there.
He has also twice assisted the team through paying for their accommodation in Harare when they played against Harare City and most recently against Dynamos.
Meanwhile, Sports, Arts and Culture Minister, Andrew Langa, yesterday donated sports equipment worth over $2 000 to schools and ward teams in Tsholotsho North during the Sipepa Sports and Cultural Gala held at Sipepa School Grounds yesterday.
The gala, which was graced by various dignitaries including Zanu-PF Tsholotsho North candidate, Professor Jonathan Moyo, was attended by hundreds of villagers who had a glimpse of former Highlanders players who played against a local select team.
Langa donated cricket equipment that included bats, pads, helmets and uniforms, which were sourced by Joseph Rego and Raj Modi of the famed Heath Streak Multi-Sports Academy, to Dlamini High School while community social soccer teams received football and netball kits and balls.
Speaking during the presentation, Langa said the gesture was a continuation of the efforts spearheaded by Prof Moyo in developing Tsholotsho.
He said Prof Moyo has been instrumental in the development of the area and even when he was not Member of Parliament of Tsholotsho, he continued bringing improvements to the constituency.
“Prof Moyo has always had Tsholotsho at heart hence his efforts in ensuring that you are able to watch Premier Soccer League football through building a stadium here. The construction of the stadium will certainly bring greater benefits as teams will be coming to play here and business will be at an advantage.
“Today (yesterday) we are simply complementing his efforts through hosting this gala and donating equipment to schools and community teams,” he said,
Prof Moyo will represent Zanu-PF in Tsholotsho North in the forthcoming by-elections scheduled for 10 June.
Meanwhile, Highlanders’ Team of ’98 entertained the gathering with some sublime football skills and beat Tsholotsho Select 2-0 in the main attraction of the day.
The team included the likes of Zenzo Moyo, who scored the two goals, through a penalty and a blistering shot, Siza Khoza, Joel Luphahla, Gift Lunga Junior, Blessing Gumiso, Simon Sibanda, Thabani Masawi and Alexander Phiri while Rahman Gumbo was their coach, with Ernest Sibanda, Willard Khumalo and Emmet Ndlovu also on the bench. Tirivaviri Sithole, Herbert Dick, Leornard Ndlovu and Nkosana Gumbo, turned out for Highlanders as guests.
Dignitaries at the occasion included Nicholas Moyo, Paul Damasane, Benson Dube, Chief Mathema, Tsholotsho High School head, Sicelo Dube, Rego and Zanu-PF officials.
