Online Reporter
Moffat Mungazi
Sports Reporter
THE quest for Premiership promotion from the Eastern Region Division One league is promising to be a rollercoaster ride, with familiar foes, Yadah Stars, Tenax CS and GreenFuel among the pacesetters firing early shots to wrest the sole ticket.
The former and the latter were relegated at the conclusion of the Castle Lager Premier Soccer League 2025 campaign.
Just eight matches into the second-tier league, the leading trio — already entrenched in the top three spots — is ruthlessly staking its claim, sending a clear signal of its intent to storm back into the domestic game’s elite.
Yadah (Miracle Boys) sit at the summit of the 20-team log standings with 20 points from six wins and two draws. Zimbabwe Prisons and Correctional Service side, Tenax CS, are second with 17 points after managing five victories, two draws and one loss. Chisumbanje outfit, GreenFuel also known as Boys Dzenharo are four points adrift the leaders in third place from four victories and as many draws. Masvingo United (Yuna-Yuna) and Bikita Minerals (Lithium Boys) complete the top five, tied on fourth and fifth positions respectively. The former holds superior goal difference. The latter were scheduled to play their eight fixture yesterday (Thursday) away to Mutare City Rovers. Yadah Stars, GreenFuel and Masvingo United are the only three sides yet to taste defeat.
With very little separating them at the moment, it sets the stage for a brutal showdown for the top honour of Premiership promotion.
Boasting and banking on experience, the pacesetters appear to be the early favourites to get the job done and drag themselves over the finish line. GreenFuel coach, Arnold Jani, who was with Bikita Minerals last season, said they are not expecting easy games.
“Our goal as GreenFuel is to bounce back into the Premiership. Having played eight matches, our performances have so far been good. However, there is always room for improvement so that we meet our set targets. Our current position on the log standings (third) shows that we are on track and moving in the right direction,” he said. Jani, who was adjudged the league’s coach of the month for April, added that they are not reading much into how their rivals are faring elsewhere.
“We are not specifically looking at other teams in the marathon, and if anything we are only competing against ourselves because we have to keep getting better than we once were and from each previous game. GreenFuel are running their own race among the other 19 teams competing in the Pacific Storm Eastern Region Division One. There are several good sides in the league, and are not going to underrate any of the teams, but will take each game as it comes and see where that takes us at the end of the season,” said Jani.
He urged the GreenFuel faithful to continue rallying behind the team.
“As a club, we are one big family chasing a collective dream. The executive is fully behind our every endeavour, the players and technical team are always giving it their all, and the fans as the 12th man in the game are also in full support of the club. This is all fuelling our drive and quest to earn our place back among the teams in the elite league,” he said.
With games having resumed midweek following last weekend’s Munhumutapa Cup preliminary round matches, focus this week shifts to league action with a full round of fixtures.
