Fredrick Moyo
Chisumbanje-based outfit Greenfuel FC, led by former Dynamos soccer star and veteran coach Lloyd Mutasa has secured Eastern Region Premier Soccer League (PSL) sole ticket with three games to spare.
Greenfuel became the second team to be promoted into the PSL for the 2023 soccer season after playing to a goalless draw away to Grayham FC, collecting the much needed point to gain promotion while at the same time consolidating their unbeaten run that now stands at 25 games.
Greenfuel is yet to taste defeat after winning 19 and drawing 6. They took their points tally to 63 points, nine clear of second-placed Mutare City Rovers who are sitting on 54.
Speaking to TellZim News, Mutasa said he is happy with the promotion as it is not an easy job to take a team to another level and dedicated the promotion to the players and all other stakeholders involved.
“The promotion means a lot to me and it is a massive achievement to take a team from one level to another, managing these youngsters and moving on a rough trail like Division One takes more than a man and a lot to achieve that.
“We say thanks to God the Almighty, the supporters who cheered us all the way and all the stakeholders that made everything easy for us, the players and their families, technical team, sponsors, drivers, cooks, all those people played an important role as football is all about team work where everyone plays his/her job,” said Mutasa.
The gaffer added that he will not give his boys too much pressure as his primary aim is to stay afloat in the PSL and be in a better position when the league season ends.
“For a start, the team as league debutants, we would want to remain there and be in a better position as well and if anything pops up it will be a bonus. We do not have to put ourselves under too much pressure and we know the young boys have the capacity to do well, so we will not give them unnecessary pressure,” added Mutasa.
The veteran coach is pleased with the boys’ performance as they are yet to lose the full set of three points in the remaining three games of the league.
“I am happy with the boys’ performance, it is all about hard work, putting our feet on the ground, respecting all the teams that we play against in the league. I simply told the boys that let’s play as if we are playing a cup final as you do not get any medals if you lose, so we approached every game with the same philosophy and try to collect maximum points in every game that we play,” said Mutasa.
In Central Region, John Nyikadzino-led side Sheasham affectionally known as ‘The Construction boys’ in the football circles secured promotion into the PSL last weekend after running riot over Loss Control who are under the guidance of John Phiri.
Sheasham previously failed to win the sole ticket on the final match day last season when they lost to Beitbridge-based side Dulibadzimu paving way to eventual winners Whawha FC.
Former premier league outfit Hwange FC are looking forward to return into the top-flight league as they are leading the pack in the Southern Region while Northern Region log leaders Simba Bhora are also on the verge of securing the top-flight ticket as they are four points clear of second-placed Herentials U20 FC while third-placed Golden Eagles lost grip on the PSL ticket after losing to struggling CUMA Academy.
