The Sunday News
Tobias Mandoreba in Hwange
HWANGE veteran defender and captain Gerald Ndlovu was yesterday named as the Premier Motor Spares sponsored Hwange Football Club May Player of the Month amid strong calls from the team’s hierarchy for the players to revoke the Hwange fighting spirit of the yesteryear.
Ndlovu (31), was presented with a $150 cash prize money and a shield at the Hwange Clubhouse by the Hwange FC Board of Trustees vice-president Malvin Maseko, Premier Motor Spares director Kenny Sambo and Hwange executive committee chairman Butholezwe Dube.
Maseko, who was flanked by fellow board member and former player Charles Ncube, did not mince his words in front of the entire technical bench and players as well as Maybin Dizomba led Hwange and Victoria Falls-based supporters and former Hwange players.
“Firstly may I express my gratitude to the sponsor for the continued gesture despite the team’s walk on a bad patch of fortunes of late. Some sponsors vanish when the chips are down. I am today challenging the team to bring three points tomorrow against Shabanie Mine as nothing else will be acceptable because we all have to read the sad mood of our restless fans who are growing impatient with not only our failure to win at home but to score a goal. In short tomorrow a victory is the only route to rescue what is obviously a special Hwange football brand,” said Maseko.
Ndlovu acknowledged the pressure which rests on the team’s shoulders.
“I am happy to win this award but there is no time to celebrate as we have what I will call a game of life and death. We have to fight tomorrow in a rare manner until the last drop of our blood because our fans will not accept anything other than a win,” said Ndlovu, a vital feature in the Chipangano rear-guard.
Youthful goalkeeper Taimon Mvula was the first winner of the April 2017 award.
@tobymandox
