Chronicle Editor
Langton Nyakwenda in Chisumbanje
Greenfuel 1- 0 Sheasham
THE only goal that decided this contest was befitting for the occasion.
Greenfuel’s Collins Dhuwa became the first player to score a Premier Soccer League goal at the newly opened Greenfuel Stadium yesterday. For the first time in the history of Zimbabwean football, top flight football was played in Chisumbanje, which is situated in Chipinge South, some 500km from Harare. Greenfuel Stadium is now the only venue which can play host to Premiership football in Manicaland. And yesterday thousands of supporters thronged the arena to witness the momentous occasion.
Business tycoon and Greenfuel owner Billy Rautenbach and some top club officials including club chairman Fredson Moyo were also in attendance. They were all up in celebration in the 22nd minute when Dhuwa hit a volley from outside the box. That was the only goal of the contest but it was enough to push Greenfuel to 29 points. The Chisumbanje based side are now eighth on the log.
When Rodwell Dhlakama took over as coach they were one of the bottom four teams. Dhlakama and his assistant Darlington Dodo have suddenly become local heroes.
“It was good to score that goal in front of a jubilant crowd. It was good to make the fans happy,” said Dhuwa.
Coincidentally, Greenfuel coach Dhlakama comes from Chipinge and the much travelled gaffer has an emotional attachment with this project. “You need to have an identity as a person. For me to coach in this area and helping the team is an achievement. When we came here the team was bottom but we are now in the top 10. I have an emotional attachment with this project.”
Sheasham coach Lizwe Sweswe also paid tribute to Greenfuel sponsors for bringing football to a remote area. “They (Greenfuel football club) deserve to stay in the Premier Soccer League with this kind of investment,” said Sweswe.
Local fans were ecstatic. Some travelled from areas like Nyanyadzi and Chakohwa while others drove from Chiredzi to witness this momentous occasion.
“We used to travel to far away areas like Harare and Chiredzi to watch PSL football but today we have managed to watch top flight league in our own area,” said Tinashe Chiutsi of Checheche.
Greenfuel football club spokesperson, Merit Rumema, described the feeling as euphoric.
“It’s out of this world. The amount of work put into this project was huge, a lot of money was put in, people worked day and night to make this happen. It was an exciting moment for everyone, to bring football to Chisumbanje is no mean feat. Greenfuel Stadium is the only functioning stadium in the whole province of Manicaland. Everyone was here, the vendors, those in the hospitality industry also benefited. It’s a multi-faceted achievement.”
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