Former Kaizer Chiefs striker Luke Petros was close to tears on Saturday when his side WhaWha played their last Castle Lager Premier Soccer League home game before dropping to the unfashionable lower-tier division.
Petros and his men were the first team to be relegated after spending the rest of the season in the basement of the log standings.
They, however, beat Black Rhinos 3-2 in a final goodbye to their home fans in Gweru at Ascot Stadium before they wrap up the season away to Ngezi Platinum.
Petros will be competing in the Central Region Division One League, but he is unlikely to retain the backbone of his team, with several players already linked with moves away from the Correctional Services side.
PETROS COMMENTS
“It’s goodbye. Our last home game had to be a win, but I am saddened by the fact that I personally failed to lift up the team to remain in the PSL,” Petros said.
“I want to believe that we have all learnt something from the previous campaign and that we are going to the lower league with hopes of quickly returning to the premier league.
“The challenge of resources was the main problem, but maybe our club will invest more in the future. If they do, then we are assured of a quick come back.”
Despite the poor record in the league, the Correction comebacks bosses retained faith in the former Zimbabwe international striker to steer the team.
In 33 outings, they won 6 games, drew 6 times and lost on 21 occasions, undoubtedly the poorest record in the current campaign.
“We had a problem in terms of personnel; some came and left just after a few games. That’s why we were not consistent.
“It’s one of the things we are going to ask from the club so that we have players signing long-term contracts,” Petros said.
Players that include Jayden Barake, Calum English Brown and Wellington Mapuwa are set to leave the club.
Barake who is the club’s top goalscorer with nine goals, is on Highlanders’ radar, with the Bulawayo giants already negotiating with the 19-year-old.
Former AmaZulu gaffer Joey Antipas is also keen to sign English Brown and Mapuwa to Chicken Inn. The Legends Academy pair have given a good account of themselves throughout the season.
RELATED STORY: https://farpost.co.za/latest-news/ex-chiefs-striker-luke-petros-on-the-verge-of-relegation-from-zims-psl/
