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Takudzwa Chitsiga-Sports Reporter
AFTER missing out on getting promoted into the ZIFA Northern Region Division One Soccer League in 2019 after they failed to pay their affiliation fees in time, Prison Stars, who won this year’s Harare Province Division Two A championship, say they are ready for the challenge.
The prison warders managed to clinch the championship last weekend with a game to spare after they reached an unassailable 81 points. Second-placed Herentals Juniors are on 77 points.
In their last match over the weekend Prison Stars managed a goalless draw against Tanno at Wagadugu Stadium.
Prison Stars administrator Guthrie Chikuvanyanga said they are not looking back and would like to emulate their sister teams like Tenax and Whawha who made it into the Premiership.
“We are ready for the challenge and we are happy that the team managed to win promotion for the second time and we are ready for the second tier.
“The team has not changed much as we have most of our senior players who played in the Premier Soccer League with Flame Lilly.
“We are not going to bow down but emulate some of our sister clubs Whawha and Tenax to make it to the top. The team did well and we managed to win the title with a game to spare. We started slowly as we were on position eight after week 10 but improved immensely as we are yet to taste defeat from week 18 until now.”
The Markswell Chipfuko-coached side were dealt a heavy blow when they failed to affiliate in time and their slot in the ZIFA Northern Region Division One Soccer League was given to second placed Golden Eagles in 2019.
Chipukunye, a former player himself, believes experience helped them as they have eight players who also got promotion with Nesbert “Yabo” Saruchera in 2015 and played in the Premier Soccer League in 2016.
“We still have a strong side that boast of experienced players like Gift Phiri, Motion Mponda, Prosper Chinyama, Barry Chingwaru, Absolom Rupiya, Ganizani Pensula, Brian Chifodya, Marord Maswera and Prince Kapepa.
“We have already secured a sponsor who is willing to come on board and our superiors are also happy with the progress we have made and they have pledged to support us.
“We will have some players from our new recruits whom we have identified and we are confident they will bring something to the system as they are still before their prime which is conducive for Division One,’ added Chipukunye.
In the ZIFA Harare Province Division Two B it will be a photo-finish as ZRP Support and Simbisa are tied on 84 points going into this weekend’s final round of matches.
Peter Tanyanyiwa
Online Reporter