Premier Soccer League outfit Tsholotsho FC’s ownership has changed hands with the Tsholotsho Rural District Council taking over control of the club from from businessman Mandla Manyathela. The popular businessman however remains part of the board in a ceremonial capacity but the council now in full control of the side.

Efforts to get hold of Manyathela were fruitless but SportsZone has it on good authority that the council is now controlling the team.

“Manyathela is no longer in charge of the team because he was having difficulties in running it in tough economic times like this," said the source.

Tsholotsho is the only club in the country run by a rural authority while Harare City, Mutare City and Bulawayo City are being run by municipalities. Manyathela started facing challenges in sponsoring the team after his grocery shop was gutted by fire last year.