BULAWAYO Chiefs are building a formidable side targeting a quick return to the Castle Lager Premier Soccer League (PSL) which has seen four players, who have played in the top league, retracing their footsteps.
Former captain at The Ninjas, Malvin Mkolo, who had a dance with topflight champions Simba Bhora last year, is now back at the club together with attacking midfielder Arthur Musiyiwa, who bounces back after a stint with giants Dynamos.
Defensive midfielder Kelvin Madzongwe is also back at the club.
They have also signed two defenders from Arenel FC, Gabriel Dlodlo and Polite Mwenda.
Goalkeeper Matripples Muleya is also back at the club.
The Ninjas signed Zifa Southern Region Division One runners-up Casmyn striker Tatenda Ushe, who banged in 15 goals last season.
After parting ways with their long-serving coach Thulani Sibanda following their relegation last year, Chiefs have roped in Maxwell Takendesa Jongwe to steer their ship back to the elite league.
Jongwe was with Chegutu Pirates, who were also demoted from the PSL last year.
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Jongwe is happy to be at The Ninjas, where the main objective is a quick return to the PSL.
“I have been longing to come back to Bulawayo and coach and it has been some time since I have been trying to come and join Chiefs, but unfortunately, they had other coaches,” he told NewsDay Sport yesterday.
“Chiefs seem to be a very good and organised project that I also want to be part of the success of that project. I will do the best in terms of propagating the objectives of Bulawayo Chiefs.
“I would like the fans to rally behind the team because we have an objective or a mission to bring the team back to the elite league in one season, so it needs everybody’s involvement.
“Every competent player will get a chance to play for Chiefs and age is not a licence to play for Chiefs.”
The former Zifa technical director emphasised Chiefs’ intentions of bouncing back to the top league.
“We don’t want to mislead people or beat about the bush. We have a short-term objective of bringing the team back to the PSL within a season,” Jongwe said.
“Yes, we are in a very competitive league, but we have to achieve our objective within the season. Chiefs have been fighting relegation all the time (in the PSL).
“We should establish ourselves, get back to the PSL and not to be a relegation-fighting team.”
Chiefs were chopped off the PSL with two other sides from the Southern Region, Hwange and Arenel and Chegutu Pirates from the North.
