adminRay Bande Senior Sports Reporter
THE 2016 Castle Lager Premiership season gets underway at various soccer venues across the country, with Sakubva Stadium playing host to a potentially enthralling opener pitting rookies Mutare City Rovers and Ngezi Platinum tomorrow (Saturday).
Although PSL had not yet confirmed the venue owing to some late inspections that were yet to be done on Sakubva Stadium, indications at the time of going to Press were that the match would most likely be played at Sakubva.
Mutare City Rovers finally make their much-awaited Premiership debut tomorrow amid expectations of an eventful season for the municipality owned outfit.
Magusha, as City Rovers are fondly referred to by their legion of fans, have been under severe criticism for failing to attract known talented players, perhaps owing to budgetary constraints hence it remains to be seen whether the team will stand the heat in the more competitive top flight league.
Madamburo, as Ngezi Platinum are known by their fans will not be in Mutare for a holiday, at least according to their coach, Clifton ‘Somalia’ Kadurira.
“First games of the season are always unpredictable. More so given the fact this will be a balanced affair with Mutare City coming from Division One, while we are also coming from Division One. However, we will not be in Mutare for a holiday. All things being equal we will be gunning for three points,” said Kadurira.
Former CAPS United and Dynamos striker, Washington Pakamisa, who has been playing in the Mozambican League at Liga Desportivo Muculmana de Maputo, resurfaced in Ngezi Platinum colours with a host of other former PSL players also appearing in Ngezi Platinum colours
Former Buffaloes defender, Liberty Chakoroma, who has been in the books of South African premiership side Free State Stars, is also part of the team.
Other players that are on Ngezi Platinum books include former Buffaloes goalie, Blessing Mandimutsira, Kumbirai Kapikinyu, former Monomotapa midfielder, Knowledge Machona, Zivanai Mhande and Tichaona Mabvura, formerly with Dynamos, as well as Tatenda Machisi, who was with CAPS United.
The Mhondoro-based platinum miners actually abandoned their small and patchy stadium to construct a new one.
Recent media reports indicate that the history of Ngezi Platinum FC dates back to 2001 when the team was formed as a social team, then called Ngezi Sporto FC, before joining the Mashonaland West Division 2B in 2004 where they finished third in their first attempt.
The team stayed there until the time they won the Division 2B title and got promoted into the Northern Region Division One league. In 2014, the team started showing signs of competitiveness when they won the Yadah TV football tournament and finished fifth in the league that year.
They snatched the sole Northern Region Division One promotional ticket to the top-flight league in 2015.
During the campaign, Ngezi won 22 games, drew 10 and lost only two of their matches. One of their players Evans Katema was voted the region’s best player, while midfielder Innocent Sokosi was top goal scorer.
Fixtures:
Friday (today): How Mine FC v Bulawayo City FC (White City Stadium 1500hrs SS )
Sarturday (tomorrow): Chicken Inn FC v Dynamos FC (Barbourfields Stadium, 1500hrs SS); ZPC Kariba FC v Border Strikers FC (Nyamhunga Stadium); FC Platinum v Tsholotsho FC (Mandava Stadium); Mutare City Rovers v Ngezi Platinum Stars (TBA)
Sunday: Caps United FC v Chapungu FC (National Sports Stadium);
Hwange FC v Highlanders FC (Colliery Stadium); Triangle United FC v Harare City FC (Gibbo Stadium).
Online Reporter