TENET Chilumba is the new FC Platinum coach. REPORT BY WELLINGTON TONI SPORTS EDITOR
The former Hwange boss has been appointed on a long term deal and awaits finalisation of his work permit before he assumes duty at the Zvishavane side.
According to a release from new club president George Mawere, Chilumba will be assisted by Tendai Chikuni, who has been interim coach since the departure of Rahman Gumbo during the 2012 season.
Mawere said in his release, which also confirmed the various changes that have been made to the executive committee: “The structures of FC Platinum have been reviewed and now include three committees, ie executive committee, advisory committee and a committee to oversee the commercial activities of the club.
“The club has appointed a coach for the season beginning January 2013, Tenet Chilumba, who will join the club once he has finalised his work permit modalities.
“Chilumba was the Zambian Uunder-23 coach and was part of the technical setup of the Zambian Afcon winning team. He will be assisted by current caretaker coach Chikuni who took over the hot seat after Rahman Gumbo.
“Jairos Tapera will complete the technical team as he continues in his role as head of football development at the premiership outfit.” Tapera led the team into the Premiership.
Chilumba led Hwange to fourth place in 2011 and to a spot in the Confederation Cup, but had an indifferent 2012 season where he eventually quit to concentrate on juniors. The Platinum journey started in 2011 when they gained promotion into the Premier Soccer League while known as Mimosa Football Club.
- Chamisa under fire over US$120K donation
- Mavhunga puts DeMbare into Chibuku quarterfinals
- Pension funds bet on Cabora Bassa oilfields
- Councils defy govt fire tender directive
Keep Reading
They rebranded to FC Platinum, under the leadership of then president Nathan Shoko and chairman Tadson Zhou, in the debut season.
They managed to entice a number to top quality players, mostly free agents, and loaned out others who had helped them gain promotion.
The late Benjamin Moyo was their first coach until his untimely death on Good Friday last year and was replaced by his assistant Philani Mabhena for three games. Patrick Mandizha was in charge for a single game before Rahman Gumbo took over on June 1.
Gumbo led the team to second place finish, losing the title on goal difference.
They made their debut in the Caf Champions League, eliminating Green Mamba of Swaziland in the preliminary round before they were ousted in the first round by El Merreikh of Sudan.
In 2012, the club won the Bob88 Super Cup and the Independence Cup, but finished seventh in the league race after Gumbo was shown the door during the season. Chikuni then finished off the season.
Shoko has remained at the club as honorary president as the platinum miners seek to “benefit from the experience of the previous executive committee”.
Zhou, Lovett Wadawareva and Elton Nyoka are now members of the advisory committee, while former secretary Phil Muvengwa will head the commercial activities of the club.
Benson Virimayi has been deployed to the position of secretary-general of the executive committee, Petros Ngoruma is the new treasurer while Lloyd Shirichena will act as the fundraising officer. The club is expected to start its preparations for the 2013 season next week with a number of new faces in the team following indications that junior players will be promoted into the senior team.
Senior players though, like Tafadzwa Dube, Daniel Vheremu, Joel Ngodzo, Thabani Kamusoko, Donald Ngoma, Charles Sibanda, Norman Togara, Qadr Amin, Mitchelle Katsvairo, Benjamin Marere and Allen Gahadzikwa are likely to remain at the club.
