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Moses Chunga

Oscar Rusenga in TRIANGLE
GISHON NTINI’S stormy relationship with Triangle collapsed yesterday on a day Moses Chunga celebrated Zifa’s decision to give the Hippo Valley franchise to the community of Chiredzi.
After a month of speculation over Ntini’s future, whose contract expired at the end of last year, a decision was taken to sever the relationship between the coach and the club.

Ntini joined Triangle in June 2011 and finished on third position in Eastern Region Division One before winning the championship and the ticket into the Premiership the following year.

He managed a Top Eight finish in his first season in the Premiership.
But Ntini has clashed repeatedly with the club’s leadership, especially the chairman Lovemore Matikinyidze, and this gave speculation that the relationship between the coach and the club was set to end.

Matikinyidze refused to comment yesterday.
“I am not in a mood to discuss anything concerning the issue of the coach. All I can assure you is that we are looking forward for the 2014 season and we are ready for action”, said Matikinyidze.

But one of his executive members, who requested anonymity, said Ntini was good riddance.
“I am very happy that Gishon has left, he is a good coach but I personally think he needs serious counselling because he thinks he is bigger than the team or the institution.

“I wish him all the best wherever he goes and I would like to thank him for bringing Premiership football to Triangle,” he said.
Ntini said he expected that his relationship with Triangle would end prematurely.

“All this was pre-planned and it’s not a new thing to me, its part of the game,” said Ntini.
“I am a professional and what I know is you can’t bring a good man down, who knows maybe it’s a blessing in disguise.

“I have left a lasting legacy in the Lowveld and I think everything is by God’s design and it’s always good to leave a place while you are still wanted by the majority.”

There was joy in the Hippo Valley camp when Zifa Eastern Region manager Thadeous Machawira announced that the Premiership franchise, which was won by Hippo Valley last year, has been handed over to Chunga and the community of Chiredzi.

Machawira said he consulted with the Zifa leadership, including its president Cuthbert Dube, and a decision was taken to cede the franchise to the community.

The team will be known as Chiredzi FC and will use Chishamiso Stadium.
Chunga said his mission wasn’t to fight the Hippo Valley management, who decided against sponsoring the club in the Premiership, but to give the people of Chiredzi a Premiership team that will make them feel proud of their town.

“Hippo could have been history if we were not optimistic, it was disheartening to be told that something you worked hard for is nothing,” said Chunga.

“I am happy and my challenge is to win the championship in my first season. I will bring new technical team members and a few senior players like Norman Maroto, Ishmael Lawe and Jimmy Tigere.”

Chunga said they will be conducting trials from next Tuesday at Chishamiso.