The Sunday News
Mandla Moyo, Ngqwele Dube, Sports Reporters
THE juggernaut that Jimias “Gwekwerere” Cheteni has assembled is giving rival teams in the Bulawayo Social Soccer League a torrid time on the field of play every weekend.
Cheteni, a local businessman has patiently built one of the strongest social soccer teams in the league to date taking into consideration the way it has pummelled all before it into submission.
As a result of their prowess they sit on top of the log standings, complemented by the quality of players under their books mostly retired players who have seen it all at the highest level.
The most outstanding from those are former Zimbabwe Saints player as well as Highlanders striker Chipo Tsodzo, Mthokozisi Nkomo, the Masiku brothers Gideon and Mtewa among others.
Endowed with such an array of players, it is no doubt than Stars are the team to beat in the league plus considering that they are the reigning champions.
Their travelling army of fans add colour as well as entertainment to the league that is known for producing unbelievable score lines, the highest being the 27-1 drubbing they recorded against Magwegwe Stars.
When asked what his expectations were after investing so much in the community through sponsoring this team, Cheteni was quick to say that he expects the team to win another league title and thereafter pass over the button to a new crop of leaders.
“I expect the team to retain the title for the second time in a row by virtue of our strong performance on the pitch as well as the quality of players we have.
“Once that has happened my plan is to take a back seat and pass over the button to another leader who will take this brand to the next level while I assume the position of a director,” said Cheteni.
Stars FC whose home ground is Ndola has its roots on Ndola FC where their founder as well as major sponsor Cheteni cut his football teeth.
The team is planning to embark on a tour of Masvingo as well as Botswana after they got invitations from those destinations.
This philanthropist is grateful to his executive for a job well done sponsors byRunyararo Queens ladies alongside other members from the community whom he takes care of.
Meanwhile, Bulawayo Amateur Football Association League (Bafa) log leaders, Rebels FC extended their lead at the top by seven points after beating Mpilo United in last week’s fixture.
After 11 games Rebels are now on 31 points after winning 4-1 in an outstanding fixture that was played last Sunday.
Second-placed Unity Village, who were inactive last weekend are on 24 points, same number as Anolle Casting who are third due to an inferior goal difference but have played an equal number of games with the log leaders.
Bafa chairman, Charles Ndlovu said the completion of the outstanding games will see them start the second stanza of the season and prepare for cup games.
“We wanted everyone to be on equal footing in terms of the number of games played as we head into the second half of the season and we are happy everything ran smoothly and Mpilo will be playing their last outstanding match today,’’ Ndlovu said.
