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Robson Sharuko Senior Sports Editor
EDMORE CHIRAMBADARE has been handed the Number 11 jersey which used to be worn by Warriors talisman Knowledge Musona during his two successful spells at Kaizer Chiefs, triggering a wave of expectations among the Amakhosi fans that their latest recruit could be something special.

The 24-year-old forward was one of eight players, including his compatriot Mitchel Katsvairo, who were unveiled by the South African giants in Johannesburg yesterday in a major revamping of the Amakhosi playing and technical personnel.

Katsvairo has been handed the Number 8 jersey.

Former Ghanaian international defender John Paintsil has been hired as assistant coach, replacing club legend Doctor Khumalo who will now be reassigned elsewhere, while Brazilians Alexandre Revoredo (goalkeepers’ coach) and Marco Aurelio Munhoz (fitness trainer), have been added to the technical staff.

Chiefs endured a miserable campaign last season and the club’s leadership have invested in eight new players, so far, with Chirambadare and Katsvairo among those who were unveiled yesterday in a statement of intent by the Amakhosi to make a big impression next season.

And the focus yesterday immediately fell on Chirambadare after Chiefs’ fans picked out that he had been handed a jersey number that reminded them of the days when another Zimbabwean forward, Musona, turned himself into their darling with some breathtaking individual performances.

A man for the big occasion, Musona used to excel in the Soweto Derby showdown between Chiefs and eternal rivals Orlando Pirates, winning the South African Premiership Rookie of the Year Award in his first season before picking the Golden Boot award in his second season in 2010/2011.

Kick-Off named him the third best foreign striker to play in the South African Premiership.

“When he emerged he was touted as being the next ‘Peter Ndlovu’, and while he hasn’t really lived up to that heavy billing, he is still a shining star and is still as likeable and popular as ever in South Africa, especially with the Amakhosi followers,” Kick-Off noted.

“It is understandable why Chiefs fans still love Musona. He scored on his full debut and had plenty other memorable strikes — that overhead-kick against Mpumalanga Black Aces was special — and the goals in the Soweto Derby will always be of sentimental value to Amakhosi.”

Now, the focus has been thrown on Chirambadare, who will wear the number 11 jersey and Katsvairo, whose pace and eye for goal in Chicken Inn’s CAF Champions League showdown against Mamelodi Sundowns convinced Amakhosi that he was worth the investment.

The two Zimbabwe forwards signed three-year deals at the Amakhosi. And yesterday, the Chiefs’ fans used the club’s official Facebook page to warmly welcome the two Zimbabweans to the Amakhosi family.

However, others reminded them of the pressure that comes with playing for Chiefs and pointed to the failure by Ovidy Karuru, who arrived amid a wave of great expectations having been signed from a French club, to make a big impression at the Amakhosi.

Chiefs have always been a good home, though, for Zimbabwean players with Warriors’ captain Willard Katsande winning the club’s Player of the Season and the Players’ Player of the Season awards for his stellar show in the Amakhosi colours in their last campaign.

Katsande was the only light that shone in the darkness, in a miserable season for the Amakhosi, who were never in the battle to challenge for the defence of the title they had won the previous year, blown away by a resurgent Mamelodi Sundowns who were powered by the silky skills of Khama Billiat.

Other Zimbabweans who have made a big impression at Chiefs, in the past, including Tinashe Nengomasha, who became a darling of the club’s fans with his forceful show in midfield, Rabson Muchichwa, who used to be irresistible down the flanks and Onismor Bhasera.

Legendary midfielder Ebson “Sugar” Muguyo started this romance between Chiefs and Zimbabwean players in the ‘70s and he was named as one of the greatest Amakhosi players of all-time.

Here are some of the messages from the Chiefs’ fans:

 Sfiso Mashiyamahle

Hope you will shine like Knowledge Musona in that jersey No. 11

Siza Dube

We welcome you our new Musona, hope you will deliver and prove the haters wrong

Malakia Maluleke

I’m just glad that Khompela’s (Steve, the Chiefs’ head coach) level of English will be clearly heard, so they’ll take instructions very well. Zims (Zimbabweans) are very good in English.

Ofhani Mabudu

He (Chirambadare) look like a Silent Assassin, just like Musona and Billiat. Welcome home

Kalebogile Kousho

Doesn’t really matter where you come from, welcome to the Team that cares and understands that countries do not matter, but your ability to bring a difference to this team. We welcome you to Amakhosi

Convenient Josti Mogashoa

Follow in the footsteps of Knowledge Musona. Welcome home No. 11

Kaiso Wa’a Seloge

With that number 11, we are expecting nothing, but the BEST

Prof-kc Moila

Jersey No. 11, I hope he will do well

Mqabheli Sledge Zulu

I trust Zimbabwean players

Emerald Mbhele

Guy let’s be fair, Chiefs only sign best players from Zimbabwe, look back from Nengomasha, we only sign the best Zimbabwean players

Kealeboga Lebzar Serole

Kaizer Chiefs and Zim players, a better love story than Twilight, welcome brother

Lwando Jafta

Kaizer Chiefs is Zimbabwe United

Zukile Camagu

Welcome, we hope you will turn out to be another Musona, Katsande or even better, will only judge you on the field