History of Ajax Hotspurs Football Club
Ajax Hotspurs Football Club was founded in May 2001 as Foundation College football club by Management Lecturer at the Institution Siphambaniso Dube. The team initially intended to parade its skills in the Schools Football but were denied entry into the schools competions as the then Mzilikazi High School headmaster Mr Chiromo said Founation College was not a
... Formal School as such could not be admitted into the schools competitions. The Founding Director Siphambaniso Dube could not be denied his passion to develop sport at the institution and the team conducted its first training session at Cont Mhlanga's Amakhosi grounds in Makokoba behind the Arts Centre. The teams next session was conucted at the Methodist Youth Centre directly opposite the the Bulawayo's most celebrated sportspersons residence, Madida, Adam and Peter Ndlovu. These are the grounds where the Ndlovu siblings coined their skills. Due to the compactness of the ground, Foundation College then moved to Burombo grounds adjacent to Makokoba and Burombo Flats. The turnout was overwhelming and the team played its first friendly match agaist a Dairiboard social club and won the match convincingly 4-1 a good start from the school boys. The team then got an opportunity to register in the Zifa Unity Cup where they were drawn against a Division 3 side Missing Link. Foundation College was bundled out 6-5 on penalties but the school boys earned plaudits for a gallant display. Two weeks later Missing Link registered their failure to continue playing in Division 3 due to financial distress and the team offered the franchise to Foundation College. That marked the birth of what is today known as Ajax Hotspurs Football Club. The college boys participated in Zifa Bulawayo Province Division 3 having exciting duels with the likes of Zesa Byo and Annolle Castings and Railstars under 19s. at some point the team was whacked 9-6 by Railstars at Barbourfields but still managed to finish 3rd on the log standings and with it a ticket to Division 2A in 2002. Foundation College's Director Mr Message Ncube was instrumental in kitting the club with our first kit being the Black and White stripe. A student at Foundation College Mr Kadzombe who owns Priel Agencies came in to support the boys kitting them and giving them winning bonuses. Mr Ncube expressed his willingness to support the boys albeit on a distance as he intended to continue with his core business Education. The team rebranded in 2003 changing the name to Foundation Hotspurs where players outside the college circles began joining the side. One of the major signings was Nqobizitha " Madolo" Ngwenya an AmaZulu junior who was plucked directly from the premiership side Zimbabwe Saints, Ngqabutho 'Ngqaza" Sibanda, Forbes "Fola7" Magumise Mazibuko, George 'Jojo" Sibanda Melusi " Mango" Baloyi and Hillary "Mawi" Madzivanyika , Archford "Chelo" Hadebe and Mkhululi "Cooper" Tshuma. The teams first captain was Grifis "Captain Grife" Ncube(Pictured above and had exciting youngstars like Everson "Ganyau Express" Masuku, Samson "Maldo" Maseko, Edrick "Mandoza" Chiweshe, Qhubekani " Mshoza 19" Ndlovu and vice captain Innocent Dube. Most of these guys were A'Level Students at the college and current Core-Director Arcford Mwamuka was a student and first medic of the club. The Club grew in leaps and bounds and always finished in the top 3 bracket. In 2005 the team once again rebranded to Ajax Hotspurs Football Club after adopting the Dutch System of training and wide talks with Ajax America who unfortunately later folded. Ajax America had expressed interest to take on new kid on the block and current F.C Platinum left back Khumbulani Banda a full Zimbabwe international who has gone on to represent the country at Under 17, Under 20, Under 23 and full international level.. He has gone on to play for Railstars, Bantu Rovers and Dynamos football Clubs. The team went on to introduce Juniors from under13s under 15s and under 18s after the Director was inspired by one youngster Brian Maunze who always wanted to train with the A side in 2007. This marked the greatest yet disappointing year for the club as the trailblaizing side qualified into the Country's Premier Cup knockout first round of 32 after beating Zifa Bulawayo Province Division 2B log leaders Otrick Spares 7-1 at Njube's Desert to book a place in the next round against Matebeleland North Qualifeirs, Forbes and Thompson and Midlands Mimosa Mine F.C now Platinum F.C
The Team raises the City of Kings Flag High dispatching Forbes and Thompson 3-1 before eliminating Mimosa Mines(F.C Platinum) 5-4 on penalties to spark wild celebrations. All Bulawayans waited with bated breath on the date of the draw and the boys from Mpopoma were drwn against airforce side Chapungu who had thumped Highladers 5-0 at Barbourfields the previous week in a league match powered by the marauding Philiph Marufu, Cuthbert Malajila, Clement Mugari and Francis Kanda. The Mpopoma boys stood their ground with the airforce side labouring to a 3-0 win in the final minutes of the game which led to the firing of their coach Innocent Chogugudza. The boys were then forced to play a competitive league match less than 24 hours the following day against Clan Transport which they came from behind to draw 2-2 at Sotshangane grounds. Johaness "Jojo Cesc" Mpofu and Anele Sonele Nxusani were outstanding. The draw meant that they lost their leadership to Old Nic Mine who went on to be promoted into Division One the following season after some fixed matches that saw some set of referees influencing some results and phoning and texting the Director of Ajax Hotspurs to buy his way to Division One which he flatly refused. The disappointment led to a lot of players quiting football by and large and crossing the great devide the Limpompo into South Africa. in 2008 season the team still remained strong and lost the Championship on the last day against Chicken Inn the two team drawing 1-1. Chicken Inn were promoted and Ajax Hotspurs once again failed at the last hurdle.
2009-2011 has been the rebulding years for Ajax Hotspurs withe the first batch of the under 13s now the mainstay of the team. Ajax Hotspurs are beginning to reap the rewards of Junior Football Development. A junior player Chrispen Machisi(15) had a 3 month stint at Ajax Capetown in 2009 to 2010 impressing the coaches and one of the Directors John Commitis but had to return back to finish school. To date the club prides itself in development and their products are dotted around the country and across boarders.
