Sports Reporter

MARONDERA– A new season to start things afresh, and to bring in new football ideas? Perhaps.

That could be the way it is at Andrew Gore’s FC Hunters following the sacking of Patrick Sithole and the roping in of John Nyikadzino

Sithole guided the farmer’s team to a fourth-placed finish in last season’s Eastern Region Soccer League which is made up of teams drawn from Mashonaland East, Manicaland and Masvingo provinces.

In an interview with Chaminuka, Sithole confirmed his sacking and reports indicated that he has since been hired by Musami-based St. Paul’s, which is also in the equation to compete in regional league representing Mashonaland East alongside FC Hunters, last season’s provincial league winners and runner-ups JM Busha and Chivhu United, while also ran-ins Surrey United will consider competing as well.

“I was ordered to collect my bags and seek new pastures at FC Hunters where I had made an effort to build a team which would help the owner realise his ambition of the team joining the Castle Lager Premier Soccer League. I did my job well, in the circumstances as I managed to steer the ship well.

“People see football in different ways and I appreciate Gore’s team for affording me that opportunity to be on the touchline in good and bad times. When I am settled elsewhere, I will inform you,” Sithole said.

Interestingly, Nyikadzino coached FC Wangu Mazodze who were a shoe-in to be promoted before losing that automatic promotional ticket to Luke Masomere’s Triangle who made a triumphant return to the country’s premier league.

Meanwhile, FC Hunters are reportedly having a pre-season campaign in Murambinda, Manicaland province and names of the team’s players’ squad were not availed to this publication.

Last season, the teams had notable players who showed great promise, but the squad could not last the distance. FC Hunters fans will always remember players such as Kanisiyo Marimazhira, Denzel Murape, Munashe Mudowaya, Last Chipenzi, Willness Nyangulu and Godfrey Dapwa.