Online Reporter
Curtworth Masango
Zimpapers Sports Hub
NEW teams usually speak about learning curves and survival.
Highrange are not using that language.
As they prepare for their first season in the MCM Estates Northern Region Division One Soccer League, the newcomers are setting a far more aggressive tone.
They say they have entered the competition to challenge near the top rather than simply find their feet.
It is a bold statement in a league known for its physical edge, long travel demands and unforgiving pace, where even established clubs often struggle to keep consistency over a full campaign.
Club chairman, Wayne Zimunya, insists the team’s inexperience will not be used as a shield once the season begins.
“We are here to compete and win honours,” Zimunya said.
“We might be new but we have the capacity to battle against everyone and stand our ground.
“We have not come into this league just to make up the numbers. We have a point to prove.”
Highrange are among six sides entering the division, adding fresh intrigue to a league that has increasingly become a ground for ambitious projects hoping to climb into the national spotlight.
Zimunya said the club’s recruitment drive has focused on building balance rather than chasing big names, with a mix of youthful energy and experienced players expected to form the backbone of the squad.
“The Northern Region League is a tough battleground and we have prepared specifically for the physical and tactical demands it presents,” he said.
“It has been about building a unit with the right character and belief. We are confident this group can rise to the occasion.”
Their confidence will be tested quickly once the season kicks off, with the league traditionally punishing slow starts and rewarding squads that adapt fastest to its intensity.
For Highrange, the coming months will reveal whether the early confidence reflects genuine readiness or the usual optimism that often surrounds new entrants before reality sets in.
Meanwhile, the league continues to push its professional standards after hosting a recent media training workshop attended by representatives from all participating clubs.
Peter Tanyanyiwa