
Raymond Jaravaza
NEW kids on the block, Talen Vision, riding on the success of topping the Zifa Bulawayo Province Division Two league last season a�� have vowed to take their fairytale story to the Southern Region League that commences on 9 April.
The club, formed in 1993 and once known as Otrick Stars, will play in the second tier of Zimbabwean football after the Premier Soccer League. Winners of the Southern Region league get automatic entry into the Premiership.
Last season Talen Vision beat Highlanders Academy to top the Zifa Bulawayo Province Division Two league for a place in the Southern Region league. Highlanders Academy will also compete in the Division One league.
a�?Our coaching department led by Soul Ndlovu has been hard at work preparing the team for the upcoming season.
We are not under the illusion that life in the Southern Region league will be a smooth road, it is a tough league but we are ready,a�? said club chairman Otrick Siziba.
But the club has not set a target for the technical team out of fear of placing unnecessary pressure on the coaches.
a�?The coaches fully understand the vision of the club, which is to win everything on offer but we feel setting targets will add unnecessary pressure on the technical team. This is our first year in division one and we aim to do well if not win the league,a�? he said.
The team trains at Eveline High School and is in partnership with schools in the Nkulumane suburb catchment area to scout for players for their three age groups, the Under 14, 16s and Under 18 teams.
Meanwhile, yesteryear giants Zimbabwe Saints could find themselves back in the Southern Region league if an attempt to secure the franchise of former champions Quelaton bears fruit.
The franchise is up for grabs after tertiary institution National University of Science and Technology (Nust) decided to discard their slot in the league after failing to pay Quelaton $7 000 for its acquisition.
Saints are understood to be interested in the franchise, a move that will see the former Bulawayo giants leap to the Division One league from Division Two.
Under the deal, Saints would also inherit the players that have been training with Nust, while Quelaton takes over Saintsa�� Division Two franchise.
Quelaton director Tawanda Ruzive explained to our sister paper the Chronicle.
a�?Ita��s true that we have been negotiating with Zimbabwe Saints to take over our Division One franchise. At this stage I cana��t say much because theya��re also doing some consultations and once a decision is made, probably in the next seven days, we will make an announcement,a�? said Ruzive.
Saints are reportedly consulting their lawyers on the takeover bid.