Online Reporter
Veronica Gwaze
Zimpapers Sports Hub
PREMIER Soccer League side Hunters have made clear their intent to survive relegation and perhaps make history by bagging Munhumutapa Challenge and Chibuku Super cups in their debut topflight season.
This comes after the Nesbert Saruchera side just roped in 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 came from Scottland.
Madhake and Dzvukamanja were expected to make a debut in Hunters’ colors during the Munhumutapa Challenge Cup before the former was dropped at the last minute.
With Madhake in the fray, Saruchera’s side secured a slot into the Munhumutapa Challenge Cup Round of 16, after booting out Norton Big Boys with a massive 3-1 victory at Ngoni at the weekend.
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 5 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 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,” he said.
“As a coach, you want to give them enough exposure and the breakthrough they need which is exactly what I am doing.”
In Hunters’ colours, Dzvukamanja will be hoping to rediscover his scoring touch following a lukewarm stint with Scottland where he scored just two since arrival in July, 2025.
On the other hand, Madhake is coming back from a lengthy injury that kept him on the sidelines for months.
If the duo inspire Hunters to Chibuku Super Cup glory, they become second after Ngezi Platinum Stars to win the prestigious cup in their debut topflight season, since its return in 2014.
“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,” added the coach.
“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.”
