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BLUE Jets will bounce back to the World Navi Northern Region Division One soccer league next year after spending last season in Mashonaland West Division Two. The army side was promoted in Division One in 2012 but were relegated at the end of the season in the same year. However, just after spending one season in the lower division they managed to make a quick return to the more competitive First Division league when they topped the Mashonaland West Division Two league.
They finished first with 85 points, five points ahead of Zimplats Makwiro to get the ticket to Division One.
Blue Jets organising secretary, Christopher Dzumbunu, said they had a good season and were able to shake off the challenge from other clubs to make an early return to Division One.
“We were there before in Division One but things were not that good but I think now we are in a better position. Competition was there in Division Two but we managed to get the promotion.
“We got some of our players who helped us from Chapungu and Blue Swallows and were able to finish first ahead of Zimplats Makwiro,” said Dzumbunu.
Dzumbunu said they need to beef-up their squad in preparation for next year to ensure that they don’t find themselves in the same situation as they did in 2012.
“We now know what to expect in the league and we need more seasoned or experienced players because Division One is different form Division Two. We need to beef-up our squad so that we avoid relegation next year. We don’t want to return to Division Two,” said Dzumbunu.
Blue Jets joins five other teams that were promoted into Division One this year. The other teams are DT Africa, Zatex, Pfura, ARV and Cargo Carriers. The six teams that were relegated are Royal Classic, Twalumba, Chegutu Pirates, Blue Swallows, Lake Harvest and Seven Flames.
The World Navi Northern Region has become one of the most competitive leagues in Division One and the newly promoted teams should brace up for stiff competition when the new season kicks off next year. This year the championship race had to be decided on the last day of the programme as eventual winners Flame Lily and former Premiership champions Gunners fought for promotion into the top flight league.
The two teams were separated by just three points in a closely contested race.
Meanwhile, the World Navi Northern Region Division One officially handed over the Soccer Star of the Year Zivanai Mhanda with his car yesterday in Harare.
Mhanda was crowned the Soccer Star of the Year last month and for his effort he got a Toyota Corolla and will be going for trials at Vissel Kobe, a Japanese club that competes in the J-League.
The other car went to a lucky fan, Andrew Rashayi of Glen Norah, who won the vehicle last weekend in a raffle draw held at Gwanzura during the Yadah TV knock-out Cup final.
Speaking after the handover, Mhanda said he is excited by his achievement and added that he is looking forward to the trials. “I feel motivated and happy as a player. It’s everyone’s dream to go and play abroad so I am really excited. I will try by all means to prepare myself for the trials to go and suit the conditions and the type of play in Japan,” said Mhanda.
Online Reporter