Innocent Kurira-Zimpapers Sports Hub
HWANGE coach, Njabulo Dube, says the coalminers must quickly shift their focus to preparing for the demands of Premier Soccer League.
He guided the Matabeleland North side back into the top-flight with a 1-0 victory over Bulawayo Warriors at White City on Saturday.
Shawn Chabika scored the decisive goal to seal promotion, capping a long and demanding campaign in which Hwange had to navigate stiff competition from ambitious rivals in the ZIFA Southern Region Division One League.
For Dube, the achievement was the reward for a team that remained united and committed despite the pressure of a promotion race in which every result carried significant consequences.
“I am short of words. It has been a long journey. We faced a lot of competition. A lot of teams were doing well and every game for us was a final,” said Dube.
“But I am happy we stayed united as a team and we were committed. A lot should be done now that we are going into the Premier Soccer League.”
The coach’s comments underline the scale of the task facing Hwange as they prepare to return to the country’s top-flight competition, where they will be expected to compete against established clubs with greater resources and experience.
While Saturday’s victory sparked celebrations, the club’s leadership is already looking beyond the achievement, aware that promotion brings fresh responsibilities and little time to prepare for the next challenge.
Hwange administrator, Khumbulani Mbano, said the club would have to balance the excitement of returning to the PSL, with the urgent need to build a team capable of competing at a higher level.
