DEPUTY Officer Commanding Surbuban district, Superintendent Mhambi Ndebele has taken over chairmanship of ambitious Zifa Southern Region Division One side ZRP Byo.

Supt Ndebele takes over from Chief Superintendent Fredrick Mbengwa who has since been transferred to Mashonaland Central.

Former Black Mambas utility player, Inspector Fiso Siziba deputises Ndebele while Seagal Masuku is the secretary general of the club with Phathisani Khanye taking care of the club’s finances.

The club has already begun preparations for the upcoming season with vice chairman Insp Siziba expressing satisfaction with the preparations so far, despite losing a number of key players.

“We are moving in the right direction despite the loss of some players, mainly civilians who are likely to be signed by Premiership clubs but we believe we will hold our own and all being equal we can even win the championship especially with the support of our commanders,” said Insp Siziba.

Some of the players that the club is set to lose include skipper Patrick Mboma Mpofu, who could be snatched by Bantu Rovers, Bhekinkosi Mguni, Erico Phiri and Zibusiso Dambo who are all at Tsholotsho while on loan goalkeeper Aaron Ngwenya has been recalled by Bulawayo City.

The team, under the guidance of veteran coach Roger Ndlovu, finished a credible fifth in their debut season last year were they posted some giant killing acts that saw so called league giants falling by the wayside and were key in the final standings of the league which had Bantu Rovers getting the ticket to the Premiership.

If the zeal and determination shown by the whole set up at the club, right from the provincial police commanders, coming down to team management to the players, ZRP Byo could well find themselves playing in the country’s elite league next year.