Online Reporter
Veronica Gwaze-Zimpapers Sports Hub
FAITH DRIVE ACADEMY have their lives on the line when they host giants Herentals Queens at Chisamba Grounds in the Munhumutapa Cup quarter-finals this afternoon.
The Mutare-based academy are undeniably a major talent breeder in the Zimbabwe Women’s Premier Soccer League.
At four-time ZWPSL champions Herentals, most players trace their footsteps back to this outfit.
Alice Moyo, Shyline Dambamuromo, Maud Mafuruse, Bethel Kondo, Cynthia Shonga and Morelife Nyagumbo all hail from Faith Drive and form the core of Herentals team.
Today, they find themselves trapped between loyalty to their current paymasters and the place they all call home.
These players were identified by the late Mbuya Nelia Musikavanhu, some at barely five-years-old, and rescued from tough backgrounds.
The late football granny took them under her wing and gave them a roof over their heads. She went on to secure scholarships for them at Nyamauru School where they also pursued football while playing for Faith Drive Academy before later leaving for greener pastures.
And today they are back at Chisamba where, some years ago, their life stories were transformed.
However, this time they come not as allies, but as rivals in the national tournament. Could the Queens be the ones to eliminate Faith Drive from the Munhumutapa Challenge Cup, where their (Faith Drive) life lies on the line? Fans are curiously asking.
The two sides get into today’s battle faced with contradicting plights.
For a wealthy Herentals, one of few individually owned clubs that consistently remunerate players, they need the prize money to enhance their flamboyant life style.
Conversely, Faith Drive are drowning in abject poverty and are uncertain of their future.
Progressing into the semi-finals will be a lifeline for the club, the 26 young girls currently housed at the children’s home and more to come considering that Faith Drive is a rescue for most struggling girls in Manicaland.
While some clubs are focused on prize money, in Manicaland they are talking about Faith Drive’s survival.“Our mother founded this academy; she turned our yard into a rescue centre for girls escaping child marriages, abuse and poverty,” said Dumisani Sithole, director of Faith Drive.
“She didn’t have a coaching badge, but had an eye for talent and potential, and above all, she had a big heart.
“Now the home is in financial distress and we wouldn’t be happy to shut down, this prize money might be our best shot to keep it afloat, at least for six months or so.
“Gogo used to self-fund the home, and since she died it has been tough because we have our own families so it’s difficult to sustain it with limited resources.”
On paper, Herentals come into the fixture as the stronger side, but cup games are often unpredictable.
In the league marathon, they occupy the summit with 51 points from 20 games, while Faith Drive are 11th with 20 points from 21 matches.
Herentals have won 16 times, lost once and are the most prolific side with 67 goals while in 11th position Faith Drive have five wins, 11 defeats and have scored 17.
Sithole understands the threat.
“This is a big game for us and as we were preparing, we also had to ensure our girls are psychologically ready to face the giants,” he said.
“Cup games need a different approach altogether, there is no chance to fight another day, so we must bring our best foot forward knowing what is at stake.”
But Herentals coach Simbarashe Dedza is up to the task at hand.
“We want to make history by winning the first edition of the cup tournament, so we have been busy with preparations to ensure we make it,” said Dedza.
“Obviously, any opponent that plays against us often steps up to make life difficult for us, so we will not underestimate Faith Drive.
“Our preparations have been going well, although some of our players are in camp for national duty, but we have the depth to take us all the way, and we are ready.”
Meanwhile, FC Platinum Royals welcome Harare City at Mandava, Chapungu host Black Rhinos in what is expected to be an explosive battle at Manyame Airbase while Herentals Under-19 date Division One side Black Mambas Queens in a “lower league” battle at Gwanzura.
Fixtures: All matches kickoff at 11AM.
Herentals Under-19 vs Black Mambas; FC Platinum Royals vs Harare City Queens; Faith Drive Academy vs Herentals Queens; Chapungu vs Black Rhinos.
