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Tadious Manyepo-Sports Reporter
NGEZI Platinum Stars coach Takesure Chiragwi is backing his recruits to play a pivotal role in the team’s quest for success this year.
Chiragwi’s charges opened the season in the best possible way by winning the Castle Challenge Cup after beating Dynamos 2-0 at Baobab on Saturday.
He threw in three new players in the starting eleven with man-of-the-match Richard Hachiro taking the anchor role while Talent Chamboko deployed at left-back in the coach’s 4-3-3 formation.
Tinashe Mashaireni, who was elevated from the Ngezi Platinum development team partnered Hachiro and Leslie Kashitigu in midfield.
Another recruit Never Tigere was a second-half replacement for the injured Chamboko.
The quartet gave a good shift much to the amusement of Chiragwi.
“I am very happy with how my new players applied themselves in this big match against a big team,” said Chiragwi.
“When we sat down to assess who we could take to try and strengthen the team, we agreed with my colleagues to go for these guys.
“We looked at their quality and that’s how we ended up settling for them. I am very happy to see them giving us what they gave us on Saturday.
“I believe they have what it takes to drive the team into achieving set goals. What is important is for us to play as a team and to be a team on and off the field of play.”
Forward Obriel Chirinda, who stands accused of signing a contract with Dynamos before joining Ngezi Platinum, watched from the stands alongside the likes of Delic Murimba, Carlos Mavhurume, and captain Qadr Amini.
The new players said they were ready to step up and do the job for the reigning league champions.
Tigere, who was with FC Platinum before his move to Azam in Tanzania, four years ago said he decided to join the Mhondoro team because he saw a lot of potential in the team.
“I am ready to play a big role at Ngezi Platinum Stars. They have their roadmap and it impressed me a lot that’s why I decided to settle for them,” said Tigere.
“My aim here is clear. I want to help the team win the league title and other knock-out tournaments like the Chibuku Super Cup.
“Individually, I am also out to win trophies. I was at FC Platinum in 2019 and we won the league title. I was on the Soccer Stars calendar.
“But this season, ideally, I would like to work very hard and possibly win the Soccer Star of the Year accolade.
“I am happy with how the team has embraced not only me but all the other new players at the club. We feel very much at home and the environment is ideal for success.”
Hachiro, who was with Chicken Inn last year is praying that injuries spare him this time around.
“Last year, I started the season very well at Chicken Inn. But I was then grounded by an injury for the better part of the season before I returned towards the end,” said Hachiro.
“I am someone who hasn’t been very lucky with injuries. So my prayer for this season is for injuries to spare me.
“I am very happy to be at Ngezi Platinum Stars. I feel very much at home here. I have players who I have played with at different clubs like Carlos (Mavhurume). I am really happy to be here and the dream is to do well both in the league and in the CAF Champions League.”
Chamboko and Mashaireni echoed the same sentiments.
Online Reporter