Tigers roaring in the valley

 

Ray Bande
Senior Reporter

IN the animal kingdom, like other big cats, tigers roar, and according to animal experts, the roar is so strong that it can paralyse any animal within earshot.

As such, it would appear that there is everything in a name given the way Chimanimani based Eastern Region Division One debutants, Rusitu Tigers, are giving their opponents sleepless nights, both when playing at home and on the road.

Based in the remote Rusitu Valley, under Chimanimani District, a place known more for horticulture production than anything else, the football outfit has instantly become a symbol of success, hope and entertainment for locals.

Head coach, Prince ‘Skilo’ Tafirenyika said: “It has been a remarkable journey. The performance and the results are nowhere near what we expected. I never thought we could achieve what we did, especially considering that these are basically the same guys we had in Zifa Manicaland Division Two.”

Tiger roar sounds can travel distances of about two miles, animal experts say.

Of the three distinct purposes of its sound, there is an attention roar.

Coach Tafirenyika, the former Mutare Polytechnic and Buffaloes assistant coach said: “We have been surprised with the attention that we have earned since we started playing in the Eastern Region Division One.

“People are coming from the length and breadth of Chipinge to watch our matches. We have had supporters regularly coming from Chipinge, Chipangayi and beyond.”

It is also known in the animal kingdom that when cubs are born, they remain with their mother for a period of between two to three years.

During the first six to 11 months of life, the mother will train them to hunt, as this is very crucial to their survival.

The same is happening with Rusitu Tigers!

“The good thing is that most of these boys are young locals. We had them when the team was in Division Two and we are very proud that they are doing well even in this more competitive league. We are integrating them cautiously so that they adapt to the level of competition,” said head coach Tafirenyika.

 

Rusitu Tigers, who are currently sixth on the table, have kept faith in some of the lads that call the largely rural community their home.

Twenty-year-old Silas Pfaira; 21-year-old Pride Mlambo; right midfielder 20-year-old Kelvin Sithole, himself a former Under 17 Team Manicaland; 21-year-old Challenge Chabata; 22-year-old Everson Dhliwayo and 23-year-old Honest Muchirawatu are all living examples of how football is giving a chance to these boys from the village.

Pfaira and Mlambo played all the matches that the club had in the Eastern Region Division One 2023 season, while Sithole missed three.

Prince ‘Skilo’ Tafirenyika, who joined Rusitu Tigers three weeks before the league action started after their promotion into the Eastern Region Division One said their priority is to fight relegation.

The local community has supported the project in a major way and in a short period, Rusitu Tigers have marked the Chimanimani and Chipinge territory as they fortress.

Coach Tafirenyika said: “We are the only team partaking in the Eastern Region Division One from Chipinge-Chimanimani Districts, hence these two districts are our territory and the following we have been enjoying is tremendous. We salute the fans in these two districts.”

Due to the threat that the Rusitu Tigers pose, Chirombo Stadium has suddenly become a feared destination in the Eastern Region Division One League.

As the 2023 Eastern Region Division One season unfolds, it remains to be seen how many will survive the wrath of the tigers, especially in their Chirombo den.