…as dominant performance sets them apart
By Tatiana Mhararira
The Pacific Storm Eastern Region Soccer League (ERSL)’s Marondera based FC Hunters has maintained its impressive winning streak so far since the beginning of the season by grabbing maximum points in its first five games.
FC Hunters nicknamed Clever Boys is yet to record a lose this season setting them apart from other teams who have either won or lost some games giving the statement ‘the thrill of the hunt is not in the kill but in the challenge, preparation and chase a meaning since they are hunters’.
In an interview with TellZim News, former FC Wangu Mazodze coach and current FC Hunters coach John Nyikadzino who was the April ERSL coach of the month shared the secret behind the team’s success and how they adapted to different opponents.
“The secret behind our winning streak is that we are a small team which thrive on hard work and team discipline for the attainment of good results for each game played.
“As we face every team each week we take it as a new challenge that we will write on our wish list that we want to overcome. We do not have a small or a big team we just attack so as to get the best result just like hunters in the jungle,” said Nyikadzino.
Nyikadzino said they gave players motivation during training sessions and thrived to go beyond their weaknesses.
“We always encourage our players to see beyond Hunters FC and work for their best and for the best of the team that is why the team is on top. The motivation that we give our players is enough to keep them going.
“As a team we always work to improve our strengths and also work on our weaknesses so that we do better than last season. Our focus is on winning the ticket into the top flight Premier Soccer League (PSL),” said Nyikadzino.
FC Hunters was formed on March 20, 2020 as a social soccer outfit meant for tobacco farm workers and they use Rudhaka Stadium as their home ground.
It was initially registered with Zimbabwe Football Association (ZIFA) Mashonaland East Division 2 in the same year and pulled through to ERSL Division 1 in 2022.
In the ERSL, FC Hunters ended their first season on the seventh position with 43 points and last year (2024) they finished on fourth position with 58 points while Triangle United FC and FC Wangu Mazodze had 72 points, and a goal difference of 57 and 33 respectively which led to the promotion of Sugar Sugar Boys into the PSL.
Last season FC Hunters were named the region’s most improved team of the season at the annual ERSL end of season awards.
The Clever Boys’ last game was against the new Chivhu FC where they won 4-nil and Chivhu FC dropped to number 14 maintaining its 2 points.
FC Hunters’ next fixture is against Manica Diamonds U19 FC which is on number 13 with 2 points at its home ground.
