Online Reporter
Ray Bande
Senior Reporter
TEAMS in one of the country’s four second-tier leagues – Eastern Region Division One League – have started their preparations in earnest ahead of the start of the 2026 season, with Tenax FC and Rusitu Tigers FC, conducting their trials for prospective new players this week.
The Zimbabwe Prisons and Correctional Services outfit – Tenax FC – are conducting their trials at Mutare Boys’ High School grounds, while the Chimanimani-based Rusitu Tigers are also doing the same in their own backyard at Ndima ground. Tenax FC will be hoping to make another attempt to gain promotion into the Premier Soccer League after narrowly losing the end-of-season accolade to FC Hunters last year.
As the teams go ahead with their preparations, the ZIFA Eastern Region conducted an induction for new clubs and interviews for the newly promoted teams. bZIFA Eastern Region chairman, Simba Wisdom, confirmed that the event was a success.
“Last Saturday, we held an induction, combined with interviews for the newly promoted teams who wish to be part of the Eastern Region family this coming season. At the induction, two of the teams relegated from the PSL, GreenFuel and Bikita Minerals, attended. We covered mostly the rules and regulations which touched on key areas such as the coaches’ qualifications, registration and contracts of players and how to become a member, among other provisions.
“We managed to clear all the grey areas, and it is my conviction that the new clubs are now fully aware of the marriage they are getting into. We had teams drawn from Masvingo, Mashonaland East and Manicaland, and I can simply say the teams were so excited to be given an opportunity to attend the induction,” said Wisdom.
Mashonaland East had Africa Minerals Ventures, who adopted Rusununguko Academy, Ghetho Pirates from Mabvuku, Ruwa Galaxy, as well as relegated teams, St Paul’s Musami and Chivhu FC. Masvingo had Four Lions Division Two winners, Bikita Chida Academy, Power FC from Mashava, Chiredzi Stars and Renco Mine FC. Manicaland only had one, Unity Stars from Bocha, which lost to play off winners, Sisal.
However, Unity Stars were not interviewed as they failed to meet the requirements.
“A provisional list will be availed soon after the successful teams pay their affiliation fees in full. As I indicated, a provisional list will be availed later as the congress has to confirm their participation at the coming Annual General Meeting to be held in March before the commencement of the season,” he said, adding that Africa Minerals Ventures adopted Rusununguko High Academy.
“Africa Minerals Ventures are coming in after negotiating with Mashonaland East winners, Rusununguko High School, where they agreed to adopt the academy. They opted for Rusape, citing that there is no football to entertain the community, and also wish to upgrade Vengere Stadium,” he said.
