Can Green Fuel make it with Meke?

Sports Reporter

GREEN FUEL Chairman, Fredson Moyo, believes the Chisumbanje based side now has the requisite strength to stay in the top flight for a long time and is hopeful of a top-six finish in the 2024 Castle Lager Premier Soccer League which kicks off on February 24.

After making history last season, when they became the first Premier Soccer League side from Chipinge District, Green Fuel are now bracing for their second season in the elite league.

The Ethanol Boys finished 10th and five points above the relegation zone in their debut season, prompting coach Rodwell Dhlakama to invade the market to beef up the squad ahead of the 2024 campaign.

Highly rated winger Tino Meke joined Green Fuel from relegated Cranborne Bullets and showed glimpses of why he is highly regarded during a high profile friendly match against Dynamos at Green Fuel Arena last weekend.

The match ended 1-0 in favour of Dynamos, but that was after the 18-year-old Meke had won the hearts of thousands who thronged the Green Fuel stadium last Saturday.

“Dhlakama is building a very competitive team,” Moyo said.

The much travelled Dhlakama replaced Lloyd Mutasa in April 2023, when Green Fuel were bottom and struggling to find their feet in the Premier Soccer League.

Dhlakama stabilised the ship and helped the team to survive the chop.

The homologation of the Green Fuel stadium in September was also an added advantage for the club, which used to travel to Gibbo in Triangle for their home matches.

Banking on home support and financial stability, Green Fuel is now well poised for a decent season.

“Just like any other ambitious young team, our objective is to leave a mark,” said Moyo.

“But the fact that we are young doesn’t stop us from dreaming big. We are going to fight for the honours as well.

“We have got everything it takes for a team to be a champion.

“However, realistically, I think a top five is achievable. We gave the technical team the support they wanted during the transfer window.”

The former Dynamos and Simba Bhora duo of Luke Musikiri and Stephen Chatikobo are now at Green Fuel.

Interestingly, both Musikiri and Chatikobo hail from Chipinge.

Learnmore Muyambo, who had a short stint in South Africa and former CAPS United forward Clive Rupiya, has also joined the Ethanol Boys.