MASHONALAND West Division 2B’s Ngezi Platinum Stars have emerged as the best hope yet for a top-flight team in that province after the demise of Mhangura and Effiel Flats.
Report by Kevin Mapasure
Ngezi Platinum Stars, financed by platinum miners Zimplats, narrowly missed out on promotion into Division One after finishing second behind Chegutu Pirates, but it is their financial muscle which sets them firmly in a strong position to achieve their mission.
Last week they received a prize for finishing second in the league through the Buymore-sponsored awards, but the accolade that Pirates received is what they will be gunning for this term.
They have already shopped from the Castle Lager Premier League after snatching Enasio Pereso from the financially troubled Motor Action as they continue to build up.
The technical team is not short of top-flight experience after they also used their riches to lure former Caps United assistant coach Clifton Kadurira. Kadurira once played for Black Mambas and Darryn T.
Kadurira promised to help his team as they make steps towards the Premier League where FC Platinum have been dominating transfer seasons.
“We missed out after playing well last season, but we can only get better. This season we are geared to win promotion,” Kadurira said.
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Ngezi has been attracting some of the best players in the lower leagues, dangling jobs as an extra carrot.
They were one of four teams that received awards at this weekend’s Cuthbert Dube-sponsored awards ceremony held in Chinhoyi.
Like Ngezi, Karoi United missed out on promotion after finishing second to league winners Kariba Tigers who will be fighting it out for a place in the Premier League in the Northern Division One.
Mhangura United, former giants in the top-flight, are still trying to get back to their feet after failing to finish their matches in the third tier division last season owing to financial constraints.
As an effort to make sure they achieve promotion, the team has been battling to fend off Caps United who have been chasing some of their players.
Meanwhile, army side United Lions, who gained promotion into the Eastern Division One league, were rewarded at the weekend at the province’s awards ceremony sponsored by Dube.
Lions were unbeaten throughout the season with just four draws along the way.
