The ManicaPost
Fungayi Munyoro Sports Correspondent —
NGEZI Platinum FC and national team centre back, Liberty Chakoroma, has committed his future to Ngezi Platinum after signing a new one year contract with the platinum miners.
Chakoroma’s contract with Madamburo, as Ngezi Platinum is affectionately known, ended on December 31 and Dynamos had in recent weeks stepped up their efforts to have the defender who nearly signed for them last year.
“So many clubs were interested in me including DeMbare, but I have decided to go back to Ngezi. It has been my home for one year. I enjoyed my stay there.
“Ngezi is one of the teams that have shaped my career. I have decided to renew my contract with the club. It is a one-year contract. Last year, I was among the top 11 players in the Castle Lager Premier League. This year my target is to be among the top three. I want to assist my club to finish in the top five. I also hope to return my position in the national team. It is not going to be easy, but I believe hard work will take me there. Discipline as a player helps a lot,” he told The Weekender.
The former Buffaloes FC player admitted that he was approached by Dynamos, but nothing concrete materialised.
Since arriving at Ngezi Platinum, Chakoroma was an instant success and appointed captain.
He also scored crucial goals against FC Platinum in the Chibuku Super Cup which the team eventually won and gifted the right to represent the country in the CAF Confederation Cup.
His team beat Norman Mapeza’s charges 3-1 to be the 2016 Chibuku Cup champions.
Chakoroma also played a pivotal role to make sure that the club finishes on a better position. He put the platinum miners on the map by being selected among the 11 best players in the country.
Ngezi Platinum was formed in 2004 and the club uses Baobab Stadium as their home ground.
It has its base in Mhondoro Ngezi. It started as a small club playing in Division Two in the Northern Region.
It was later promoted into First Division. In 2015, Ngezi were crowned the Northern Region Division One champions and promoted into the domestic elite league.
While in Division One, the club won several cups including the Yadah Cup. Ngezi Platinum head coach, Tonderai Ndiraya, said he was very happy to welcome back his captain.
“He is our captain and I am glad he has decided to extend his relationship with us. I have worked very well with Libber. He is disciplined in and off the field of play.
“We hope to have a good season. Last year it was our debut season, but this year we will work hard and try to learn from our mistakes. We hope to do better. We won the Chibuku Super Cup and we hope to return it again this season. We finished on the seventh position on the log standings, but this year we hope to do much better,” said the former Dynamos mentor.
Madamburo have also acquired the services of former Dynamos duo of Godknows Murwira and Dominic Mukandi, Edgar Mhungu, Mclive Phiri, How Mine’s Quadr Amini and Xolisani Moyo.
Former DeMbare goalkeeper’s coach, Gift ‘Umbro’ Muzadzi, has also joined the club and replaced Zondai Nyaumwe who has joined DeMbare.
