Zimbabwe Saints F.C.

Football club infobox
clubname = Zimbabwe Saints Football Club


fullname = Zimbabwe Saints
nickname = Chikwata "The Team"
founded = 1931
ground = Barbourfields Stadium
Bulawayo, Zimbabwe
capacity = 35,000
chairman = Elliot Manduna
manager = Godfrey Paradza
league = Division One
season = 2006/07
position = 16

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Zimbabwe Saints FC is a Zimbabwe Football Association Southern Region Division One, club based in Bulawayo, Zimbabwe.

History

One of the oldest clubs in Zimbabwe, it was formed in 1931 out of several teams which had their origins from Shona speaking areas but based in Bulawayo. The name Mashonaland United FC was adopted up until 1975 when nationalist leaders such as Dr Herbert Ushewokunze and Dr Joshua Nkomo felt tribal names were causing divisions among African people. It then changed its name to Zimbabwe Saints Footbal Club. Among some of its early players include the current Vice President of Zimbabwe and the patron of ZIFA, Honourable Joseph Msika.

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 has been on a rebuilding exercise. It introduced a development side currently playing in Division Two.

Honours

*Zimbabwe Premier Soccer League: 2
** 1977, 1988
*Zimbabwean Cup: 3
** 1977, 1979, 1987
*Zimbabwean Independence Trophy: 2
** 1989 , 1998

Performance in CAF Competitions

* African Cup of Champions Clubs: 1 appearance::1989: Quarter-Final

Players

Current squad

Fs start

Notable Past Players

*flagicon|ZIM Muzondiwa "lazy Mzoe" Mugadza
*flagicon|ZIM Ronald "Gidiza" Sibanda
*flagicon|ZIM Agent "Ajira" Sawu
*flagicon|ZIM Eddie Mukahanana
*flagicon|ZIM George Ayibu
*flagicon|ZIM Stanley Mutasa
*flagicon|ZIM Henry "Bully" McKop
*flagicon|ZIM Joseph "Razorman" Machingura
*flagicon|ZIM Howard Mago
*flagicon|ZIM Chris Kahwema
*flagicon|ZIM Innocent Rwodzi
*flagicon|ZIM Melusi Nkiwane
*flagicon|ZIM Chemi Hunidzarira
*flagicon|ZIM Ephraim "Rock" Chawanda
*flagicon|ZIM John Sibanda
*flagicon|ZIM Obey Sova
*flagicon|ZIM Godwin Mangayi
*flagicon|ZIM Chipo "Jackroller" Tsodzo
*flagicon|ZIM Dumisani "Dunga" Dube
*flagicon|ZIM Mlungisi "Stix" Ndebele
*flagicon|ZIM Gibson "Homs" Homela
*flagicon|ZIM Edson "Sugar" Muguyo
*flagicon|ZIM Bruce "Jungleman" Grobbelaar
*flagicon|ZIM Onias Musana
*flagicon|ZIM William "Gwejegweje" Sibanda
*flagicon|ZIM Gofrey Paradza
*flagicon|ZIM Moses "Madhala Boy" Moyo
*flagicon|ZIM Matambanashe Sibanda
*Flagicon|ZIM Max "Shaluza" Tshuma
*flagicon|ZIM Andrew "Mai maria" Kadengu
*flagicon|ZIM Ben Makadzange
*Flagicon|ZIM Musa Muzanenhamo
*Flagicon|ZIM Styvn Chuma
*Flagicon|ZIM Mishek Sibanda
*Flagicon|ZIM Peter Kavisa
*Flagicon|ZIM Toendepi 'Shacky' Nyathi
*Flagicon|ZIM Phillemon Dangarembwa
*Flagicon|ZIM Stanely Mutasa
*Flagicon|ZIM Jimmy Phiri
*Flagicon|ZIM Josphat Humbasha
*Flagicon|ZIM Isac Banda
*Flagicon|ZIM Sikumbuzo Banda
*Flagicon|ZIM Peter Zimuto
*Flagicon|ZIM Gibson Sigauke
*Flagicon|ZIM Josphat Munetsi
*Flagicon|ZIM Garikai Rwodzi
*Flagicon|ZIM Zebron Magorimbo
*Flagicon|ZIM Emmanuel Sibanda
*Flagicon|ZIM Ephraim Moloi
*Flagicon|ZIM Francis Nkala
*Flagicon|ZIM Daglaus Maneto
*Flagicon|ZIM Styvn Kwashi
*Flagicon|ZIM Chita Antonio
*Flagicon|ZIM Thomas Chipembere
*Flagicon|ZIM Ben Phiri
*Flagicon|ZIM David Zulu
*Flagicon|ZIM Nhamo Chizunza
*Flagicon|ZIM Norman Gumbo

Staff

Current Executive

* Chairman - flagicon|ZIM Elliot Manduna
* Vice Chairman - flagicon|ZIM Andrew Chadya
* Secretary General - flagicon|ZIM Patrick Tichaona Hokonya
* Organising Secretary - flagicon|ZIM Jabulani Chinyangarara
* Treasurer - flagicon|ZIM Caleb Sengu
* Committee Member - flagicon|ZIM Norble Mhlanga

* Club Patron - flagicon|ZIM Esau Mupfumi

Current staff

* Technical Director - flagicon|ZIM Gibson Homela
* Head Coach - flagicon|ZIM Godfrey Paradza
* Assistant Coach - flagicon|ZIM Gift Tembo
* Development Coach - flagicon|ZIM Michael Gumede
* Juniors Coach - flagicon|ZIM Peter Kavhisa