Online Reporter
Veronica Gwaze-Zimpapers Sports Hub
ZIMBABWE Women Premier Soccer League’s Harare City Queens had to dig deep into their purse to secure the services of Mamelodi Sundowns’ Abigal Foya.
The highly-rated forward comes at a time when the municipality side is making frantic efforts to turn around their fortunes.
She comes together with veterans Pamela Mhlanga and Colleta Khumalo who come in as free agents while Mitchel Joseph joins from Midlands State University Queens.
The signings mark Harare City’s first major move to rescue their ship following a player exodus last year, as well as the start of the 2025 campaign.
“The season has not been going on well for us and we had to make use of the transfer window to try and turn things around,” said manager Moreblessing Mudzinganyama.
A season ago, Harare City were one of the highly-rated sides and at some point sat at the summit of the log table, ahead of eventual champions Herentals.
However, last year, they let go renowned striker Rudo Neshamba, who moved to Chapungu Queens leaving a yawning gap that proved hard to fill for City.
Without a prolific goal scorer, they were left struggling.
The pattern continued into this season, leaving them currently sitting on position 11 on the log table with a paltry 16 points in 16 games.
They have only won four times, recorded an equal number of draws and lost the other seven games.
Log leaders Chapungu and Correctional Queens lead the race with 40 points apiece having both lost and drawn once.
Harare City’s difficulties stem largely from the quality of players they had in their books.
For what may have been a foiled recruitment at the start of the season or a not perfectly scrutinised release of players, the club had to make do with what they had in their books.
Resultantly, results were hard to come by.
At the mid-season transfer period, the club had to release Nomsa Bizeck, Aisha Chirume, Tinevimbo Marowenyu, Ruvimbo Mutyavaviri, Verna Chitsiga, Marylin Magozore, Fungisai Kamuzondo and Tadiwanashe Munhupedzi.
After bringing in four players, it remains to be seen if the municipality side will be able to turn the corner and start collecting the much-needed points.
Mudzinganyama agrees that Harare City find themselves in a precarious position on the standings, teetering dangerously close to the relegation zone.
This, she notes has prompted urgent action to address their performance issues.
“Results were elusive so we realised that we had no strikers on our team; it was largely made up of defenders and midfielders hence we had to improvise,” she said.
“So, we had to release some players and pave way for forwards who can give us the goals that we badly need.
“It was a difficult decision to make but we needed to bring in new talent to strengthen the squad and also recall another player from retirement.”
The manager notes that this move is essential for the team’s survival in the top-flight.
Acutely aware that as the tight championship race transitions into the second half of the season, Mudzinganyama notes that there will be no room for experiments.
“We had to go for experienced players who understand the pressure of trying to survive the chop so the focus is just on integrating the signings quickly,” she said.
“Foya brings vast experience from South Africa, we believe she can lead from the front and give us the much crucial goals . . . generally we believe the signings will add value to the team.”
Meanwhile, Kwekwe Queens, formerly Kwekwe United are also looking to turn their fortunes around.
The rebranded outfit brought onto their books Anita Ncube, Natallie Mbavha and Delien Mbawa from Faith Drive.
Tabeth Sialupa also arrived from Midlands Terrain, Rutendo Mukucha (Herentals) and goalkeeper Lindokuhle Mhkwananzi from Highlanders Royals.
Black Mambas also reunited with their former star Rutendo Madongorere as they hope to rise from 15th position on the 16 team-log table.
