Online ReporterLangton Nyakwenda
Zimpapers Sports Hub
FORMED only last year by a group of miners from Gweru and surrounding areas, Chili Boys are the only Division Two side left in the ZIFA Munhumutapa Challenge Cup.
The unbeaten Gweru side face Premiership outfit Bulawayo Chiefs in the last 16 at Ascot on Saturday after beating Aqua on penalties in the previous round.
Chili Boys lead the 12-team ZIFA Midlands Division
Two table with 11 wins and two draws from 13 matches.
They have scored 54 goals and conceded only four.
Victory over Chiefs would take them into the quarter-finals of a competition that provides Zimbabwe’s representative in the CAF Confederation Cup.
The winners will receive US$500,000 in prize money, with another US$500,000 earmarked for their continental campaign.
Former Warriors goalkeeper Edmore “Zi Keeper” Sibanda is part of the Chili Boys technical team.
“To many, Chili Boys are an unknown team, but here in Gweru and the surrounding rural areas, people know the team,” founding member Happy Chamunorwa told Zimpapers Sports Hub.
“We are a modest team that gets most of its players from rural areas such as Chirumhanzu and Mvuma, but we are dreaming big.”
Their squad includes players from the rural areas and Gweru, as well as some with Premiership and Division One experience.
With promotion to Division One within sight, Chamunorwa is already looking towards the Premiership.
Sheasham are no longer in the top flight, while Gweru’s only Premiership side, TelOne, are battling relegation.
“Next year we will be playing in Division One, then after that we will go for the PSL,” Chamunorwa declared.
He said the name Chili was shortened from Chilimanzu, better known as Chirumhanzu, where the club’s founders come from.
