Zimpapers Logo

Takudzwa Chitsiga

Sports Reporter

BLACK Rhinos coach, Herbert Maruwa, fears key player, Lot Chiunga, might not be able to return to play football again.

This follows an injury that has sidelined him for the past two seasons.

Chiunga spearheaded the Rhinos attack before he suffered a double fracture on his right leg in December 2018.

The former Zimbabwe national team fringe player never saw action in 2019.

Maruwa said they had been monitoring the player’s bid to try and make a comeback but the signs are not looking good.

“As it stands, we are behind him as he is part of us,’’ the coach said. ‘’He is one of us, as Black Rhinos, and it will be bad news to hear that he will not kick the ball anymore.

“We were monitoring his progress, before the lockdown, and we wanted him to recover in time so that we register him.

“He is an integral part of the team and I hope that we will reunite and enjoy what we love to do best – that is play football.

“There is need for us to give him all our support as he battles to recover and we will continue doing that.’’

After Chiunga’s injury, Black Rhinos turned to big striker, Francisco Zekumbawira, whom they acquired from ZPC Kariba.

However, the big forward did not provide the pace, and variation, which Chiunga has in his arsenal.

During the 2018 season, Chiunga scored nine goals for Chauya Chipembere, helping them finish seventh, in the league.