adminLovemore Zigara Midlands Correspondent
THE latest inclusion in the Zifa Central Soccer League, Zvishavane Stars, have vowed to run away with the championship in their maiden season in the league.Zvishavane Stars were invited to the league to fill one of the slots left by former Premiership sides Hardbody and Tripple B who pulled out citing financial challenges.
Club secretary, Chikerema Njodzi Marembo said the club was born out of the ashes of Mandava United and seeks to showcase local talent from the mining town which has largely been overlooked by Premiership sides, Shabanie Mine and FC Platinum. The two have shown lack of patience by over reliance on imported labour.
“Former players of the original Mandava United decided to form the club after realising that the two big clubs in Zvishavane were overlooking local players. Zvishavane Stars therefore is a platform to nurture raw local talent so that it showcases its skills.
“Now that we have managed to get a slot in Division One our main is to gain promotion into the Premiership at the end of the season. We are still in the process of assembling a strong squad of which some of the players are coming from Shabanie Mine and FC Platinum,” said Marembo.
The club secretary added that the side has received overwhelming support from the Zvishavane Town Council which has provided part of the funds for the club to affiliate with the league while the local business community has pledged to support the team.
The Zvishavane side is coached by former Shushine player, Freddy Siziba who will be assisted by Farai Vandira.
Players who have been brought into the Stars camp include Simbarashe Nyoni plucked from Kiglon, Shyton Chaka from How Mine juniors while Watson Chiwara is joining the side from neighbours FC Platinum.
Juniors Sibanda has also joined the side from Shabanie Mine.
Bongani Ndlovu
Online Reporter