Online Reporter
Conrad Mupesa
Mashonaland West Bureau
BARCA Kadoma FC’s fair-tale rise from boozers football to professional ranks is almost complete after the Muzvezve-based team sealed promotion to the Northern Region Division One League with an unbeaten 34-match run.
The club, formed by gold panners who once used the “barca barca” gold extraction method, edged Venice Mine FC at Pamujuza Stadium on Saturday to finish top of the Mashonaland West Division Two B log with a two-point lead.
They now face play-offs this coming Saturday to confirm their D1 slot. Fans turned up in Barca Kadoma and Barcelona regalia as celebrations erupted, rekindling hope in a city that hasn’t seen PSL action in over 20 years.
With former PSL players such as Sydney Linyama, Pride Tafirenyika and Tinashe Kambuzuma in the squad, Barca finished the season with 32 wins and two draws.
Coach Gift Tembo said the unbeaten run was driven by commitment and the desire to bring Division One football back to Kadoma.
Tembo was the Zimbabwe Saints and Douglas Warriors gaffer. Club officials hailed the promotion as a triumph of unity for a community long shaped by informal mining.
“We started in the boozers league and today we carry Kadoma’s dreams,” said chairman Risanio Masango.
If they win the play-offs, Barca will join Chinhoyi Rangers and Chegutu Pirates in Division One and use Rimuka Stadium as their home ground.
For now, Kadoma is buzzing and Barca believe their journey to the PSL is only beginning.
