…team aims to expose abundant talent from Lowveld
Emmanuel Chitsika
Lowveld- based Chisase FC is basking in glory of promotion into the Zimbabwe Football Association (ZIFA) Eastern Region Soccer League (ESRL) Division 1 after emerging victorious in the play-offs played at Chisase last weekend.
Team Director Wellington ‘Ommo’ Gumbo said the team is on cloud nine and their dream has come true as the community did not expect the team to scale such greater heights where the youthful players would get the opportunity to exhibit their talent.
“People were delighted on the promotion since it is something that is new to the people of Chisase and people have been celebrating since December 3. So far after we played these play-offs on December 3, 2022, we are yet to sit down with the community as a team to map the way forward because we know the task ahead is likely to be tougher than in Division 2.
“After finishing our Division 2 games while awaiting D1 play offs, we joined the Chivi South Sunday League where we are currently playing though we are four or so games to catch up with other teams in that league who have played all the first round fixtures,” said Gumbo.
He went on to express his disappointment on the fact that a team from the area playing in the premiership like Triangle FC will have maybe three or four local players while the rest flock from far away areas like Harare.
“Our team is made of locally-based players drawn from our community unlike a situation whereby we draw players from other areas at the expense of this community. This promotion hopefully would help us present the players with the platform to showcase their talents on a bigger stage because currently the talent is a ‘hidden treasure’ going unnoticed.
“The players should get the chances to impress bigger Premier Soccer League (PSL) clubs. If one takes a closer look at teams like Triangle FC, would realize that two or three players are local while the rest are drawn from other parts of the country like Harare or Bulawayo,” added Gumbo.
Currently Gumbo is bankrolling the team with travelling expenses as well as refereeing fees among other basics.
….As Chivi Sunday Super league race hots up
The battle for top honours in the Chivi Sunday Super league has reached another level with the top four teams battling it out for the ultimate prize as the first round of matches have already been played.
The 14 team league has reached an exciting stage with the top teams shuffling each other on that end of the table while the bottom-placed languish in murky waters.
League chairperson Tamuka Dewa also commented on the competitiveness of the league that keeps on growing as shown by the top four teams who are not separated by a wider margin.
“Sunday family league is on the edge of chapter 1 season 2 as the year 2022 comes to an end. As the log standings show, the league is very competitive if one looks at positions 1-4.
“The league continues to grow as we have seen the number of teams increasing from 11 to 15 though one of them (Chippas FC) faced financial difficulties before dropping off,” said Dewa.
He went on to praise one of their teams Chisase for gaining promotion into ZIFA Eastern Region Division 1.
“It is my pleasure to announce the victory of one of Super Sunday League family Chisase FC who played Division 1 promotional games and emerged victorious,” added Dewa.
On top of the log standings are Dare FC with 24 points from 12 games followed by Young Hlez tied on 22 points (12 games) with Chasiya FC though the latter have played a game more. In fourth place is Renco Juniors on 19 points from 12 outings.
At the bottom of the table Sadzangwena anchor with 8 points followed by Shongamiti FC with a similar number of points from 12 games.
