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Tadious Manyepo-Sports Reporter
NGEZI Platinum Stars coach Takesure Chiragwi has hinted that he will be promoting more juniors from the team’s development side, Ngezi Platinum Under-19 going into the new year.
Chiragwi guided the Mhondoro miners to their maiden Premier League title in the recently-ended 2023 season after seven years of vain attempts.
The former CAPS United fullback, who became the second coach in the current crop to win a title both as a player and a gaffer (the other one being Lloyd Chitembwe) achieved the feat with a youthful squad.
After seven years of spending but with no success, Ngezi Platinum changed tact under Chiragwi who turned to home-grown talent for salvation.
The 39-year-old coach, ably assisted by one of Zimbabwe’s best talent scout Kifton Kadurira, promoted a number of youngsters from the development side.
They include the league’s Golden Boot winner Takunda Benhura, Leslie Kashitigu, Ellson Mweha, Walter Vuwa and Tinotenda Murasiranwa.
They were very key in the success story written by the miners.
And Chiragwi is taking the same direction as prepares for title defence and a dance in the CAF Champions League next season.
“Yes, we will be beefing our squad for next season. We will be looking at what we have in the development side first.
“We will be promoting some of the youngsters who are in the reserve team,” said Chiragwi.
“There are so many youngsters who are impressive in our development team. You look at them and see that they can really fit into the senior side. “So those are the guys we are looking at mainly as we look to galvanise our squad ahead of next season.
“The aim is to remain competitive as a team. We are also aware of the demands that come with playing in the African Safari. So we need to really strengthen our team going into the new season. We have the young players in our development team who can come in and easily fit into the system”.
Chiragwi did indicate he will be getting a few additions from elsewhere just like what he did at the start of this year.
The ex-Shabanie Mine gaffer was very economical, taking only three new players-Gareth Madhake, Malvin Gaki and Claude Mapoka on board in February this year.
He didn’t attempt to disturb the setting during the mid-season window and maintained his squad as it was.
Chiragwi will also be welcoming back Tapiwa Sibanda and Wayne Makuva who were on a season-long loan at relegated Triangle last season.
Another Triangle loanee Ariel Sibanda had already been recalled when he suffered a nasty ankle injury torwards the end of the season.
Makopa is expected to have fully recovered by the time Ngezi Platinum Stars regroup for pre-season next month.
The team will also welcome back long-term injury casualty Carlos Mavhurume into the fold.
Mavhurume suffered a knee injury and he needed surgery which has already been performed on it. The former Herentals and CAPS United man is back to fitness and is doing some light training on his own.
He will join the rest of the team when pre-season preparations begin in January.
Online Reporter