By Decide Nhendo
Following a whooping 8-0 lose to Triangle United Football Club in first Division 1 Eastern Region Soccer League (ERSL) match, Great Zimbabwe University students have responded saying were still optimistic that the team will live up to expectations to win the following matches and they said the defeat was because of lack of experience and exposure.
Speaking to TellZim News, the university’s minister of Sports, Arts and Recreation in the Student Representative Council Ardean Chidodo said the team’s lose to Triangle FC was a valuable lesson to assimilate as they still remain resolute on upcoming matches including their next match where they are going to host Rusitu Tigers FC.
He said they lost because Triangle FC had a number of experienced players who have been playing in the Zimbabwe Premier Soccer League (PSL) as compared to amateur student soccer stars who were only used to Division 2 soccer.
“Our 8-0 lose to Triangle FC is a great lesson to us as it has shown us that we still have a lot of work to do in terms of preparations, but we are still resolute in our determination as we look ahead to this forthcoming weekend’s encounter against Rusitu at the revered Gathsmine stadium.
“It is noteworthy that Triangle FC, having recently been demoted from the esteemed PSL boasted a roster replete with premier players as compared to our GZU inexperienced soccer stars,” said Chidodo.
He further said GZU FC was going to summon utmost capabilities leaving no room for doubt, since the team stands to deliver steadfastly marching forward with unwavering resolve.
A soccer devotee Innocent Chimoto, a Local Governance student said the humiliating and frustrating defeat might have been a result of lack of training and also the game being their first facing former PSL players could have played a significant role too.
“The results of GZU men’s soccer team were frustrating and not pleasing. This could have been the result of lack of enough training taking heed of the fact that this match was the first for the boys with Triangle who does have premier staff players,” said Chimoto.
Chimoto said the players have to play their roles responsibly as they are carrying the University’s name and encouraged the team to blend in the amateur soccer students with other former Division 1 players or ex-premier players if they want a pleasing result this season.
“The players does have responsibilities, they must play their roles effectively as they are carrying the name of the University. As a football fan and GZU student I advocate that the team needs experienced players who have tested Division 1 soccer or premier league soccer to blend with the amateur students to form a good team,” said Chimoto.
The ERSL week one results saw Great Zimbabwe lose 8-0 to hosting Triangle FC, the just promoted Huku FC drew 0-0 with ST Paul’s Musami FC same with Masvingo United and Tenax FC,
FC Wangu Mazodze which lost last year’s title by a whisker managed to beat Midway FC 2-0, Destiny Stars FC won against Chiredzi Stars FC, Rusitu Tigers FC managed to defeat FC Hunters and also Buffaloes FC defeating Manica Diamonds with the same goal margin.
