Perennial promotion chasers Chegutu Pirates and Bikita Minerals finally have what they have been
asking for after more than half a century waiting.
Rising from the backwaters of Zimbabwe football, both secured their franchise in the fancied Castle
Lager Premier Soccer League in contrasting style.
Passionately-followed Chegutu Pirates topped the Northern Region Division One standings while
Bikita Minerals got their ticket thanks to a boardroom decision.
TelOne Stars make a return to the elite class after gaining Central Region promotion while Arenel
come through from the Southern Region following another long period campaigning for the elusive
honours.
A tantalising sequel is underway already as Chegutu Pirates and Bikita Minerals clash in the
Champion of Champions extravaganza beginning December 3 at Pfupajena with the second leg
pencilled in for December 22 at Bikita’s Lithium Stadium.
The two protagonists also have individual accolades to celebrate with Pirates mentor Emmanuel
Ras Day Gutu crowned Zifa Northern Region Coach of the Year and Bikita’s playmaker Carlos
Mukambira selected among Eastern Region's 12 soccer stars of the season.
While Pirates completed their season with 20 wins in their allotted 34 fixtures, amassing 71 points,
Bikita collected two points from a disciplinary hearing that found their ultimate round opponents
Grayham to have fielded an ineligible player in a drawn encounter and awarded maximum points to
the lithium miners.
This saw them wind up their campaign on 60 points from 28 matches, 18 of them victories.
Football analysts have largely welcomed the coming on board of new entrants to the PSL, especially
noting that Chegutu and Bikita triumphed at the expense of journeyed teams like Black Mambas
and Tenax, respectively, who have been in and out of the top-flight league regularly.
Congratulations to both these teams Chegutu and Bikita. They had tried for too long. Thank God at
last it has happened. For Pirates they should now focus on their supporters attitude for the good of
the game, noted football administrator Caleb Mamire.
However, the first challenge for the newly-promoted sides will be the suitability, or lack thereof, of
their respective home grounds to host PSL matches.
Pfupajena’s defects are on record and the stadium will not be ready by the time the league kicks off
in three months time.
The state of Lithium Stadium in rural Bikita is hazy as it is yet to undergo inspection by the Zifa
grounds committee.
But precedence indicates that the venue could come on stream in the early part of the season.
Unlike the community-owned Pirates, Bikita Minerals are powered by a lithium mine company
expected to bankroll expansion works at the stadium in much the same way as other corporate
owned teams such as Ngezi Platinum, Green Fuel and Sheasham undertook on their facilities in a
short period of time.
Such a headache will not trouble the other two newboys TelOne and Arenel.
The former are likely settling for the certified Bata Stadium in Gweru while the latter will continue
featuring at either of Bulawayo’s two stadia Barbourfields and Luveve.
