SHARON NYAYA
MBERENGWA-The much anticipated first Mberengwa derby penciled for this coming Sunday pitting new comers, Great Dyke FC against Mbesa FC promises fireworks as both teams will be out to claim bragging rights in the bustling urban mining settlement.
It will be a day worth sparing 90minutes on Sunday 30 April 2023 as both Mberengwa based unbranded ZIFA Midlands Division 2A teams will be taking on each other for the first time in a competitive match.
The match kicks off at 3pm.
Great Dyke FC will be participating in the Midlands Division 2A league while Mbesa FC will be having a second dance in the third tier provincial league where they finished on a respectable fourth position last season.
Great Dyke FC whose age limit is 25 years and below have the same philosophy as Mbesa FC whose who thrive on grooming talent for much established teams in the region and beyond.
Mbesa FC already have two of their last season players, Deans Makovere who has already joined ZIFA Eastern Region co-log leaders FC Wangu Mazodze and Nhlanhla Mangena who is at the Chipinge based Greenfuel club, Loss Control FC.
“We are playing in the ZIFA Midlands D 2 league this year. We have 35 players from different places, but 90% of our players are from Mberengwa. We are still looking for sponsorship, we are struggling to feed our boys, things are going tough for the club.
Currently we have got a strong squad and we also have experienced players in the likes of Fredrick Muchemwa (Frodo), Spilanzima Nkala (Olla), Nkala Charles (Zilatani) and Naphtali Dube (Okocha) from Bulawayo Bosso 90 to guide our young stars.
“We also have a player from Harare City academy Prince Nyamadzawo. Our aim is to gain promotion into D1 at the end of the season although a top four finish will be a remarkable achievement as well,” said Great Dyke FC team manager, Ashel Gutu.
Mbesa FC director Neviel Zunde Manonose said their aspiration is to also gain promotion into the second tier of Zimbabwean football.
They have a whole new squad this season as they only managed to retain four players from their previous squad namely; Takudzwa Gumbo, Edson Brown Moyo, Happias Matembwe and Qubani Zondo. He added that, their main aim is to groom players and expose them to Division 1 and Premier Soccer League teams.
“We are happy two of our players are with D1 teams right now Deans with FC Wangu Mazodze and Nhlanhla with Loss Control. As for the game against Great Dyke our local rivals, morale is high and we are certain that The Phambili Boys will give us a good run for our money in our opening match of the season,” remarked Manonose.
“Playing against Mbesa to me presents a good challenge, I respect Mbesa because they are 2 years older than us it’s a must watch game.
We are equally prepared for the challenge, the Serengeto boys will show them that we mean serious business. I am happy we have two teams from Mberengwa participating in D2A ZIFA Midlands,” commented Greatdyke FC team manager Gutu.
