Chitiyo fuels GreenFuel

Langton Nyakwenda-Zimpapers Sports Hub

AMBITIOUS GreenFuel have now played 72 Castle Lager Premier Soccer League matches since they were promoted into the top-flight in 2023.

The Chisumbanje side have been involved in some interesting duels over the last two seasons including big battles against traditional giants Dynamos, Highlanders and CAPS United and emerging forces FC Platinum, Ngezi Platinum and Simba Bhora.

But last weekend’s statement 4-2 win over Bikita Minerals will rank as one of their most memorable games in their fledgling Premiership life.

GreenFuel scored four goals for the first time in their 72 match spell in the league with veteran midfielder Ronald “Rooney” Chitiyo the star of the show.

The 32-year-old journeyman scored a brace in a show that rekindled memories of yesteryear when Chitiyo burst onto the Premiership scene with Monomotapa in 2012. He was named the league’s third best player that season and has been in the elite game for almost 15 years now.

Chitiyo bounced back into the local top-flight at the beginning of the year, after a stint at Malawi giants Nyasa Big Bullets, under Kalisto Pasuwa.

He is now one of the seasoned players at GreenFuel alongside former FC Platinum and Simba Bhora forward Perfect Chikwende.

“It is always gratifying to score, especially when you win that game,” Chitiyo told Zimpapers Sports Hub.

That 4-2 win against Bikita Minerals was GreenFuel’s first for the 2025 championship marathon. They have five points from four matches and are ninth on the log standings.

“The win boosted our confidence going into the next round of fixtures.

“So far, it’s great being in Chisumbanje, the reception has been good,” added Chitiyo.

Apart from the now defunct Monomotapa, Chitiyo has also seen Premiership duty with giants Dynamos, Harare City and CAPS United. He won two straight league titles with Pasuwa’s DeMbare in 2013 and 2014, before moving to Harare City, en-route to CAPS United.

Chitiyo also had a stint in Tunisia with CS Sfaxien between 2017 and 2018.

He is back and finds a local league that has been spiced up the arrival of moneyed teams like Scottland, Simba Bhora and MWOS.

“I have noticed that the league is now very competitive which is good for our football as a country,” said Chitiyo.

“Most teams strengthened their squads and almost every team solved their problems.

“It’s going to be an unpredictable season.”

The man who honed his skills in the dusty fields of Epworth, is expected to play a key role at GreenFuel who are aiming for a decent finish after struggling in their first two seasons in the elite league in which they also changed coaches at least four times.

“Chitiyo has been our impact player and apart from him we also benefit quite a lot from experienced players like goalkeeper Ashley Rayners, defender Honest Moyo, left back Brian Chikwenya and the versatile Chikwende,” said GreenFuel assistant coach Godfrey Tamirepi.

“We are blending them with the less experienced players like Tashinga Pfende, Reginald Chinemo, Tarisai Chikwende and Kibra Mhlanga.

“At the end of it all we always treasure hardworking, teamwork and it’s not about individuals,” added Tamirepi.

GreenFuel have scored seven goals in four matches.

They failed to score in one match so far, against 2023 champions Ngezi Platinum Stars at Baobab on Match Day Two.

“On average we have been scoring two goals per game and over the weekend it paid off we scored four,” said Tamirepi.

Godknows Mutina and Emmanuel Chikwende were also on target against Bikita Minerals who got their goals from Tadiwanashe Murasiramwa and Tinashe Ruzive.

Fixtures:

Saturday: Manica Diamonds v Dynamos (Sakubva), Chicken Inn v Herentals (Luveve), Simba Bhora v TelOne (Wadzanayi), MWOS v ZPC Kariba (Baobab), GreenFuel Arena), CAPS United v Ngezi Platinum Stars (Rufaro)

Sunday: Triangle United v Highlanders (Greenfuel Arena), CAPS United v Ngezi Platinum Stars (Rufaro)