Online Reporter
Ray Bande
Senior Reporter
THE Donald Tiripano-mentored Eastern Titans will be one of the new additions to this season’s National Premier League (NPL), and hopes are high for a fine performance when the competition rolls into life.
While the name could be new to the league, certainly not the squad, given the presence of experienced cricketers, Tendai ‘TC’ Chatara, skipper, Definate Mawadzi, and Anesu Kamuriwo among many more talented players that can outplay any opponent on the local scene on a good day.
Tiripano said: “First, I am very happy to have Eastern Titans, a new club in Mutare qualify to play NPL for the first time. Well done to skipper, Definate Mawadzi and the boys for being determined to play in Zimbabwe National League, and I believe with the hunger and determination the boys have showed we will surprise many and I am very optimistic that we will make it to the top four of the NPL.”
Mountaineers general manager, Terry Nyakurimwa made a clarion call for the entire Manicaland family to stand in full support of its representatives in this year’s tournament.
Westside Cricket Club and Eastern Titans Cricket Club will be the other representatives from Manicaland.
“Manicaland province has successfully utilised this esteemed tournament as a platform to exhibit the significant growth of cricket within the region. Despite consistent strong performances on the field, securing the tournament victory has remained elusive in previous years, with last year’s second-place finish being our most notable achievement to date.
“We call for the entire Manicaland family to stand in full support of our representatives in this year’s tournament, Westside Cricket Club and Eastern Titans Cricket Club,” he said.
Although the competition structure for this year was still unclear at the time of going to Press, the 2023/24 edition of the National Premier League was a grand affair, featuring 14 teams following a decision by Zimbabwe Cricket to add four more participants.
This move was aimed to open up the top-flight club cricket competition to men’s teams from all 10 provinces in the country.
The new qualification pathway saw nine teams qualify directly on sporting merit through their top provincial club championships, while the remaining five spots were filled through playoffs.
Harare Metropolitan had four teams securing their places directly in the NPL, followed by Bulawayo Metropolitan with two guaranteed berths.
Manicaland, Masvingo, and Midlands each had one spot through direct qualification.
The best teams from Mashonaland Central, Mashonaland East, Mashonaland West, Matabeleland North, and Matabeleland South had to go through NPL playoffs against clubs from the top provinces.
In the first play-off match played at Kadoma Sports Club, Kadoma Sports Club beat Kwekwe Sports Club by 220 runs to book their place in the main tournament.
Takashinga 1 emerged as the 2024 National Premier League (NPL) champions after beating Bulawayo Athletic Club (BAC) at Kwekwe Sports Club.
The defending champions completed the season in style, dismissing BAC for just 73. Roy Kaia was the main destroyer, taking five wickets for 22 runs in six overs.
Blessing Muzarabani and Trevor Mutsamba took two wickets each. Ugandan import Pascal Murungi and Donald Tapfuma top-scored with 25 runs each.
Takashinga 1 raced to their win in just 9.2 overs.
Tinashe Kamunhukamwe scored 55 not out in just 25 balls, including seven fours and three sixes.
With this victory, Takashinga 1 became the first side to win back-to-back titles.
