 | This article needs additional citations for verification .(September 2010) |
| Full name | Zimbabwe Saints | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| Nickname(s) | Chikwata "The Team" | ||
| Founded | 1931 | ||
| Dissolved | 2016 | ||
| Ground | Barbourfields Stadium Bulawayo, Zimbabwe | ||
| Capacity | 35,000 | ||
| Chairman | Gibson Homela | ||
| Head Coach | Edmore Sibanda | ||
| League | Zimbabwe Premier Soccer League | ||
| 2011 | 14th | ||
Zimbabwe Saints FC is a former Premier League football club based in Bulawayo, Zimbabwe. It was one of the top clubs in the country. [1]
One of the oldest clubs in Zimbabwe, it was formed in 1931 by a merger of several teams which had their origins from Shona speaking areas but based in Bulawayo. The name Mashonaland United FC was used up until 1975 when nationalist leaders such as Dr Herbert Ushewokunze and Dr Joshua Nkomo (both late) felt tribal names were causing divisions among African people. It then changed its name to Zimbabwe Saints Football Club. Some of its early players include the late Vice President of Zimbabwe and the patron of ZIFA, Honourable Joseph Msika. [2]
The "Chauya Chikwata" as it's nicknamed was arguably one of the best teams in the Zimbabwe Premier Soccer League in the 1980s and early 1990s.
Famous for its youth development, the club has been home to some of the finest footballers to ever grace the Zimbabwean national team such as Joseph Machingura, Agent Sawu, Muzondiwa Mugadza, Ronald Sibanda, Henry McKop, Ephraim Chawanda, Gibson Homela, John Sibanda, Ebson "Sugar" Muguyo to name just a few.
The most famous class of 1988 coached by Roy Baretto went on a 23-game unbeaten streak to capture the Zimbabwe Premier Soccer League Championship in style. They were also losing semi-finalists of CECAFA Club championships in 1988. It went on to play in the CAF Club Champions Cup in 1989 and was eliminated in the quarter-finals.
In-club fighting has been the major cause of the club's decline. The club was demoted 2 times in 2004 and 2006. In 2007 a new executive led by seasoned administrator Elliot Manduna was elected into office. Since then the club was on a rebuilding exercise. It introduced a development side in Division Two.
On Saturday 31 January 2009, the Life members of the club voted in favour of a merger with Njube Sundowns Football Club another Bulawayo based club. This was not successful but in February 2011, they bought the franchise of Chitungwiza-based Zimbabwe Premier League outfit Eagles. Zimbabwe Saints were relegated from the Premier Soccer League in 2006. The return of Zimbabwe Saints in 2011 into the premiership would bring more excitement into the league in Bulawayo. The city already had Highlanders and Chicken Inn in the Premier League. [ citation needed ]
On May 3, 2016, Zimbabwe Saints have been expelled from the Zifa Bulawayo Province Division Two League, for failing to affiliate and fulfil three consecutive matches. [3]
Zimbabwe Saints were one of the few teams in Zimbabwe who own sporting facilities. The sports club or clubhouse as it is popularly known is situated in Queens Park East, north-east of Bulawayo. Besides a soccer pitch, other sporting facilities at the clubhouse include tennis courts, netball court, volleyball court and darts. There is also a sports bar used by the members and supporters.
Dynamos F.C. is a Zimbabwean professional football club based since 1963 at Rufaro Stadium, Mbare, Harare. The team currently participates in Zimbabwe's top-tier, the Premier Soccer League. Founded in 1963 after a merger between two lesser teams in Mbare, Harare Township, Rhodesia, Dynamos quickly became one of the strongest sides in the Rhodesian league, and by the attainment of the independence of Zimbabwe in 1980 had become the country's most successful football team, having won six national championships. Dynamos have since won 22 league championships – a national record – and at least 16 trophy/cup honours.
CAPS United F.C. is a Zimbabwean football club based in Harare. Formed in 1973, the team rose to prominence in the late 1970s and early 1980s. It was formerly nicknamed the Manchester Road Boys because of their former address. The team's current nicknames are "Makepekepe" and "Green Machine". Caps United was also known as the "Cup Kings" as they were known to perform well and win cup competitions.
Esrom Nyandoro is a former Zimbabwean football midfielder. In his native Zimbabwe, Nyandoro is nicknamed "Yellowman".
Masvingo United is a Zimbabwean football club. It is based in Masvingo. They joined the Zimbabwe Premier Soccer League, They were repeatedly relegated to Division One. The club used to be bankrolled by Tanda Tavaruva.
Lancashire Steel F.C. were a Zimbabwean football club which was based in Kwekwe. They were set to play in the second tier of Zimbabwean football after their relegation at the end of the 2008 football season before folding up. Their home stadium is Baghdad Stadium. Lancashire Steel sold their franchise to Mateta (Gokwe) in 2009. The club reformed in 2010 and played in the Midlands Region Division Two 2B were they finish Runners-up in the league. In 2011 Lancashire Steel are in the Zifa Central Region Division One.
Highlanders Football Club, or more commonly Highlanders F.C., is a Zimbabwean football club based in Bulawayo, Zimbabwe that plays in the Zimbabwe Premier Soccer League. It is also known colloquially as iBosso, Amahlolanyama.
Zimbabwe Premier Soccer League is the top professional division of the Zimbabwe Football Association. It was founded in 1980, as a successor to the 1962 formed Rhodesia National Football League. It is currently sponsored by Delta Beverages under the Castle Lager brand and hence is known as Castle Lager Premier Soccer League. The current sponsorship deal runs from 2011 and is worth $3.6 million.
Black Rhinos Football Club is a Zimbabwean football club based in Harare. It is a Zimbabwe National Army owned team. They play in the Zimbabwe Premier Soccer League.They are coached by Saul Chaminuka. Their home stadium is Figaro Stadium the 1 Commando Battalion Football Field.
Sport in Zimbabwe has a long tradition and has produced many world recognized sports names and personalities. Football is the most popular sport, although rugby union, cricket, tennis, golf, and netball also have a following, traditionally among the middle class and the white minority. Field hockey is also played widely.
The sport of football in the country of Zimbabwe is run by the Zimbabwe Football Association. The association administers the national football team, as well as the Premier League. It is the most popular sport in that nation. It was introduced to the country by the British colonialists by the end of the 19th century and quickly took hold.
Thomas Langu Sweswe is an association footballer from Zimbabwe. Sweswe is a defender, primarily operating as a centre back, and has played for nine different clubs as well as the Zimbabwe national football team.
The 2012 Zimbabwe Premier Soccer League season will be the thirty second season of the Zimbabwe Premier Soccer League since its establishment in 1980. The season began on 31 March 2012.
Harare City is a Zimbabwean football club based in Harare. They play in the Zimbabwe Premier Soccer League.
How Mine Football Club was a football club based in Bulawayo, Zimbabwe. The club played in the Zimbabwe Premier Soccer League before surrendering their license before the 2018 season. The team was sponsored by the How gold mine.
Charles Sibanda is a Zimbabwean professional footballer, who plays as a forward for Bulawayo Chiefs and the Zimbabwe national team.
Sharkia Sporting Club, is an Egyptian sports club based in Zagazig, El Sharkia, Egypt. The club was founded on 12 January 1961, and is best known for its hockey and football departments.
Bulawayo City F.C. is a Zimbabwean football club based in Bulawayo, formed in 2006. They were champions of the Southern Region Division One in 2015 and in 2019. Their home shirt colors are red shirts with white edges, white shorts and red socks.
Callisto Pasuwa is a Zimbabwean soccer coach who is currently the coach of Big Bullets FC. He is also former coach of Dynamos Football Club. Pasuwa led Dynamos to four consecutive league titles as coach from 2011 to 2014 writing his own piece of history.
Bulawayo Chiefs F.C. is a football club from Bulawayo, Zimbabwe, currently playing in the top flight Zimbabwe Premier Soccer League.
