MARONDERA – AFTER emerging victorious in the ZIFA Mashonaland East Division 2
League in the just-ended season, FC Hunters have started preparing for life in the more
competitive Eastern Region Division 1 League.
The ERD1 League is made up of teams drawn from Mashonaland East, Manicaland and
Masvingo provinces and, at different periods, provided teams such as Masvingo United,
Triangle, Eastern Lions, Highway, Hippo Valley, Tenax Correctional Services, Buffaloes,
Manica Diamonds and Mutare City Rovers to the country’s top-flight football premiership –
the Castle Lager Premier Soccer League.
Andrew Gore, who bankrolls FC Hunters, told Chaminuka Sport that they would not be in the
Division 1 League to make up the numbers, but would, in fact, try to win it, hence their early
preparations.
His side shrugged off the tight competition from rivals Kotwa FC and Chivhu United.
He said: “We achieved our goal of being promoted and I would like to applaud my
administrative, technical and playing staff for a job well done. Not many people gave us a
chance, but today here we are. From now on, we are making preparations for our new journey
in the Eastern Region League.
“It will not be smooth-sailing, but I have confidence in my team. It will be a new chapter and
we want to be as competitive as possible. We will retain the bulk of the players who make up
our squad as they performed according to expectations.
“However, we are planning to add four or five experienced players who have played in the
Division 1 League or even the Premier Soccer League before to stead our ship. Our technical
team is on ground to identify the players, who will fit our bill.”
Gore also stated that his club would strive to hold their own in the Eastern Region League
and avoid being relegated in their maiden appearance.
“History shows that most teams from this province fail to withstand the pressure associated
with the league and fold after a few years. When it comes to FC Hunters, it will be a totally
different story. We will try to stand head above shoulders.
“Even if we fail to win the big one, we will be there to stay and give our fans something to
cheer about every week. With the support of our fans and other stakeholders, FC Hunters will
be a force to reckon with,” he said.
Green Fuel from Manicaland were crowned ERSL champions this season and were promoted
to the Castle Lager Premier Soccer League, where they joined other newcomers namely
Hwange (Southern Region), Simba Bhora (Northern Region) and Sheasham (Central
Region).
Under the tutelage of former Dynamos and Kiglon Bird coach, Lloyd Mutasa, Green Fuel
were too hot to handle for their rivals as they finished the league marathon without tasting
defeat. They won 21 of the 28 matches they played – sharing the spoils with their opponents
on seven occasions only.
Mashonaland East’s best placed team in the Division 1 League was Ruwa Pro-Group, who
finished the season on sixth position and can be said to have given a good fight. In the entire
season, they laboured for 41 points of a possible 72, while Surrey FC were on seventh
position with the same number of points.
Other teams that did duty for the province in the league are FC Wangu Mazodze, Grayham,
JMBusha 54 and Melfort. They failed in their bid to bring the ERD1 crown to Mashonaland
East and it remains to be seen if the new kid that will come on the block – be it FC Hunters,
Chivhu Stars or Kotwa United – break the jinx.
