Online Reporter
Ray Bande
Senior Reporter
YOUNG striker, Nokutenda Mangezi, has set his sights on a goal‑scoring spree after completing a move to Castle Lager Premiership side, Manica Diamonds.
Mangezi’s arrival comes after a brief, but eye‑catching stint with SuperSport United, where he was handed his first‑team debut only 24 hours after being unveiled by the Tshwane side.
The Zimbabwean youngster was simply unfortunate to see his South African Premiership debut end in a 0-2 defeat to serial champions, Mamelodi Sundowns at Loftus Versfeld, after a brilliant individual display.
Back then, he signed a one‑year contract, which had an option to extend, from top Zimbabwean nursery, Real Betis Academy.
The former Simba Bhora and Betway Premiership side SuperSport United top man, who turned 21 earlier this month, is now relaunching his career back home after his return from South Africa and Botswana, where his stay was short‑lived by injury.
In fact, Mangezi was injured while turning out for SuperSport United in South Africa, and the move to Botswana was primarily meant to nurse the injury and regain fitness.
Post Sport can reveal that the youngster, who is part of a largely youthful squad assembled ahead of the 2026 season by Manica Diamonds coach, Tafadzwa Mashiri – is now fully fit and raring to go.
“I am now fully fit and ready to help Manica Diamonds achieve its targets,” he said.
After kick‑starting his career at Real Betis Academy in Harare, then joining Simba Bhora and later SuperSport United in South Africa, before seeking to regain fitness in Botswana at Black Lions FC, Mangezi has made no secret of his intention to score as many goals as he can for Manica Diamonds.
“My hope is to score as many goals as I can for Manica Diamonds. That is what I am employed to do, to score goals, and I fully understand that. I also hope to win trophies with Manica Diamonds. I am happy with the gelling and progress that we are making as a team. I hope this will translate into the field of play when the 2026 Castle Lager Premiership season eventually gets under way,” he said.
His coach, Mashiri, is confident that the boy is equal to the task.
“Obviously, he (Nokutenda Mangezi) is a valuable addition, just like the others we have made. Hopefully, at his full fitness, he will give us many offensive options, judging from what we are seeing at training,” said Mashiri.
The Manica Diamonds gaffer expressed confidence that the team will be competitive in the 2026 top‑flight league season, and hopefully evade last season’s relegation dogfight, which they survived on the final day of the season.
“We had a very successful and intensive training camp in Chiredzi. The main thrust was a deliberate focus on tactical team strategies as well as team building and bonding. The high temperatures were also good in hardening us. Now we are back in Mutare to consolidate the gains of the pre‑season camp as we slowly approach the start of the season,” said Mashiri.
However, the downside of possibly not being able to play their home matches at Sakubva Stadium is a reality that Mashiri will have to deal with.
“It is not good news that there are prospects that we might not use Sakubva Stadium. Definitely, it will negatively impact performance and results. However, we need to be strong in every aspect in order to compete,” said Mashiri.
