Hunters ready to pounce

Langton Nyakwenda-Zimpapers Sports Hub

THE unpredictability of the modern-day Castle Lager Premier Soccer League football is the kind of stuff exciting veteran administrator Cuthbert Chitima, who has bounced back into club administration as FC Hunters chairman.

FC Hunters won promotion from the Eastern Region Soccer League last season but have now merged with Northern Region Soccer League 2025 runners-up N’ombeyawora ahead of the 2026 top-flight league, which kicks off on March 7.

As the dust settles on FC Hunters’ ownership saga, Chitima is beaming with confidence, hoping for a fruitful season for the Premiership’s new boys.

FC Hunters have indicated that they will use The Heart Stadium in Waterfalls as their temporary base while renovations at their preferred base — Rudhaka in Marondera — gather pace.

“I don’t think we can talk of any setbacks in terms of our preparations, because we have been preparing from day one.

“We started our training early January. We were ready to play in any Division, that is in the PSL or in the Northern Region Soccer League.

“After all, there isn’t much difference between the PSL and NRSL,” Chitima told Zimpapers Sports Hub.

Chitima bounces back into PSL club administration at a time the top-flight is witnessing a massive transformation, thanks to the arrival of well-resourced clubs who include reigning champions Scottland, Hardrock, MWOS, TelOne and Simba Bhora.

These teams are gradually pushing traditional giants Dynamos, Highlanders and CAPS United to the peripheries.

A respected administrator, whose team Gunners won the 2009 Premiership title, has been observing the trend.

“Things are a bit different now.

“Back in 2009, the league was very predictable. It was easy to predict which teams would make the top four and which ones would be relegated.

“Usually, of the four teams that would have been promoted, you were sure at least two would fall back to Division One, but that is no longer the case nowadays,” reckons Chitima.

Agama (Northern Region), Bulawayo Chiefs (Southern Region), Hardrock (Central Region) and FC Hunters (Eastern Region) were the regional champions who earned direct entry into the elite league.

Of the four promoted sides, only Bulawayo Chiefs are making a return to the top-flight, while the rest are debutants.

“FC Hunters are not coming in to make numbers, we are not coming to play social football, we also want to compete for honours. “We really want to make an impact,” said Chitima, who was also CAPS United’s chief executive when the club won their last league title in 2016.

Nesbert “Yabo” Saruchera, who took charge of N’ombeyawora last year, has been entrusted with shepherding FC Hunters on their Premiership debut.

The seasoned Saruchera, who has previously taken charge of Black Rhinos and Cranborne Bullets in the Premiership has brought in a couple of players with top-flight football experience. These include former Scottland trio of Ronald Pfumbidzai, Kelvin Shangiwa and speedy forward Michael Tapera.

“We are almost done with recruitment.

“This week we are finalising our squad and I am happy with the quality we have. The coaches have done a good job.

“We just have to make sure everything is perfect on the administration side.

“But, I have the experience, don’t forget that. I won the league as president of Gunners and it didn’t end there.

“I also won the league title as the CEO of CAPS United, so I have been there as a boss and as an employee. I know what’s needed and I know the way we should be treating our staff,” added Chitima.

Chitima believes the level of competition in the Premiership now both exciting and attractive.

“As it stands, our league is no longer predictable and that’s what soccer should be.

“It can’t be predictable where you know if you play this team you will win.

“No, football has to be unpredictable and I am happy with that.

“When the league is very competitive, it attracts sponsorship, and that’s happening now. “Clubs also need to adjust to the new trend and Club Licensing becomes key in that regard.

“We cannot have a situation where clubs have no structures, no offices, nothing.”

According to Chitima, FC Hunters are in the process of establishing a women’s team and a sound junior football development structure.