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Tadious Manyepo Sports Reporter
AFTER hitting the ground running in their first Premiership match at the newly refurbished GreenFuel Stadium, coach Rodwell Dhlakama says he wants to turn the turf into a fortress.
The Chisumbanje side played their first match at their home on Saturday against Sheasham, winning the Castle Lager Premiership match 1-0. They have been hosting their guests at Gibbo in Triangle all along until their spruced up venue was cleared for top-flight games.
Buoyed by a 5 000 capacity crowd that turned the arena into a sea of green and white, the ethanol makers responded with a fine performance that earned them victory over the Gweru team.
Rejuvenated midfielder Collins Dhuwa volleyed the all-important goal midway through the opening half.
And Dhlakama wants his charges to take full advantage in all their home matches.
The veteran gaffer, who is also from Chipinge where Chisumbanje is situated, arrived at the club when they were rock bottom before turning around their fortunes.
He now wants them to leverage on playing matches at their own turf.
“It is always very difficult to play home matches away from home. The team has had to travel for 80 or so kilometres to play home games. It’s not that convenient,” said Dhlakama.
“As a coach, I am very happy that, finally, we can play our home matches at our actual home.
“The club management did a splendid job by seeing to it that this stadium is upgraded to PSL standards. Having your own home in the league is as essential as having a roof on top of your head.
“Our fans from Chisumbanje, Checheche, Tanganda, Chiredzi and all parts of Chipinge have responded by coming in their numbers for the first match and we are calling upon them to continue backing the team.
“As a team, the mandate is to stay afloat in the league and possibly finish strongly. So winning matches at home forms the basis of our aims”.
Interestingly, Green Fuel will host some games with potential to decide the destiny of the league title as well as the relegation matrix.
Their next home match will be against Simba Bhora before they entertain Cranborne Bullets.
They will also play Highlanders, CAPS United before they engage in their Lowveld derby against Traingle.
“It shouldn’t matter who we play at our stadium. What is important is to put in the work and ensure that we suffocate everyone who comes here,” Dhlakama said.
“I feel that we have a very good chance of finishing the season in stronger terms. But we should make sure we win games at home especially to achieve that dream”.
Meanwhile, Green Fuel are expanding their sport portfolio. Besides having the football project, GreenFuel have one of the most feared netball teams in the Premier Netball League.
And they are setting up basketball, volleyball, tennis and handball teams.
Company spokesperson Merit Rumema said the organisation is determined to establish power-houses in all sport codes.
“The idea is to bring entertainment and recreation to this community,” she said.
“We are delighted to be finally hosting Premier Soccer League matches in Chisumbanje. We already have a netball team and we are also setting up other sport codes.
“Our netball team is doing well and our football side will soon be counted amongst the most competitive in the league.
“That’s what we also intend to see in other sporting codes that we are setting up.
“Everything should be in place by the end of this year and our teams should start competing in the local leagues starting next year”.
Online Reporter