Online Reporter
Veronica Gwaze
Zimpapers Sports Hub
THEY might be battling for Premier Soccer League survival but debutants FC Hunters have not stopped dreaming of bigger achievements in their maiden year in the top-flight.
FC Hunters were one of the elite teams to have survived from the major upsets that rocked seven of the PSL teams in the ZIFA Munhumutapa Round of 32 matches last weekend.
They are in the Chibuku Super Cup first round where they face 2021 runners-up Herentals at Baobab on Sunday.
FC Hunters coach Nesbert “Yabo’’ Saruchera has bolstered his squad depth with the arrivals of ex- Orlando Pirates Terrence Dzvukamanja and Gareth Madhake to reinforce their squad and buttress their survival bid.
Dzvukamanja joins the club as a free agent following the expiry of his contract with Scottland putting to end his one-year tenure with the champions while Madhake comes in on loan.
The two join Vusa Ngwenya, Michael Tapera, Mafios Chihweta, Tadiwa Chakuchichi and Godknows Murwira who all arrived from Scottland.
Madhake and Dzvukamanja were expected to make a debut in Hunters’ colours during the Munhumutapa Challenge Cup before the former was dropped at the last minute.
FC Hunters secured their Round of 16 passage via a 3-1 win over Norton Big Boys at Ngoni.
This week they prepare to face Herentals, at the same venue for the Chibuku Super Cup, aiming for the US$75 000 top prize before shifting focus to the domestic league.
For a side currently sitting precariously in position 14 of the 18-teams-log table, the playing personnel boost could not have come at a better time.
Hunters have amassed 27 points in 26 games after recording five wins, 12 draws and nine defeats and the duo have to hit the ground running, playing a crucial role in the team’s bid to survive demotion.
“All I can say is that we are not going to be relegated, we will survive because we have the legs that can fight in the remaining games and make sure we do not go down,” said Saruchera.
“The few additions were key because we had identified areas that needed a boost so when we went out in search of players, we were deliberate.”
Saruchera is also looking to build his team for the coming season around “young” players seeking a breakthrough in the top-flight.
This has seen the likes of Chihweta, Chakuchichi, Junior Meya, Elder Chirima, Tadiwa Huni and goalkeeper Moreblessing Phiri getting more game time.
“I believe in youngsters because that the future of the game be it near or distant so they deserve as much chance as they can get.
“As a coach, you want to give them enough exposure and the breakthrough they need which is exactly what I am doing.”
Dzvukamanja is hoping to rediscover his scoring touch following a lukewarm stint with Scottland where he scored just two goals since arrival from South Africa in July 2025.
Madhake is returning from a lengthy injury that kept him on the sidelines for months.
Despite their league troubles, former Zimbabwe Youth international Saruchera is confident they could be the surprise packages in the Chibuku and Munhumutapa tournaments.
“We are in it to win it, so as of now we are still eyeing a double (Chibuku Cup and Munhumutapa Challenge Cup) and we are all out with eyes on the prize.
“The team is solid and with the form that we have picked, we want to continue fighting that way and write our own unique story which is winning two cups and then surviving,” Saruchera said.
