Online Reporter
Ray Bande
Senior Reporter
PROMINENT Mutare legal practitioner Victor Chinzamba’s club, Sisal Stars, have finally crossed the line, securing promotion into the more competitive Eastern Region Division One League after triumphing in the recent playoffs.
For years, Sisal Stars have been a familiar name in the eastern border city’s football circles, competing in the Manicaland Division Two League and taking part in numerous community social tournaments.
Their consistent presence in grassroots football had fuelled a widely held belief that Chinzamba and his project were content to remain in the less demanding Division Two, avoiding the financial and competitive pressures of higher leagues.
That perception has now been shattered.
In 2025, Sisal Stars, not only qualified for the Division One promotional playoffs for the first time, but also seized the opportunity to prove their ambition and capability by earning promotion.
The achievement marks a new chapter for the club, positioning them among the region’s more competitive teams and signalling their intent to challenge for greater honours in Zimbabwean football.
Chinzamba said: “This year was our first time to win promotion into Division One. If that is the belief (being contented with Division Two soccer), then they have always been wrong. Everybody wants to grow. The only issue is how to grow and whether one has the capacity to grow. Dreams that do not take note of capacity always end up being nightmares.”
The book-learned football aficionado said in his approach to football matters, he never wanted to chew more than he can swallow.
“When the time is right and resources are in place, the sky can only be the limit. All those who dreamt big and bit more than they could chew are completely out of soccer. I do not intend to be part of that statistic,” said Chinzamba.
Asked about the plans the club has for the upcoming season and beyond, Chinzamba said: “We are yet to have a meeting on the way forward.”
Meanwhile, the build up to the 2026 Eastern Region Division One season continues to gain momentum with a number of new teams set to join the league, including those relegated from the top-flight league – GreenFuel FC and Bikita Minerals FC.
Zifa Eastern Region chairman, Simba Wisdom, said they intent to take the new and old clubs through a rigorous induction process, aimed at ensuring a smooth flow of the 2026 league season when it eventually gets underway.
“All these teams will go through an extensive interview and induction before they become members. We are going to have new clubs such as Rusununguko High from Mashonaland East, Sisal Stars FC from Manicaland and Four Lions FC from Masvingo. We are also getting GreenFuel and Bikita Minerals after they were relegated from the Premier Soccer League. We relegated St Pauls’ Musami, Renco Mine and Chivhu,” said Wisdom.
Of the three relegated teams, it is Renco Mine FC and their fans that will feel the pain much more after being part of the Eastern Region Division One League for a long time, and also having etched their status as an unpredictable outfit that could upset any team in the league when they were in form.
