SPORTS REPORTER
MUTARE-The iconic ceremonial home of football in Mutare City will on Friday host the opening game for the ZIFA Eastern Region Soccer League season pitting Mutare ‘Gusha Bhora’ City Rovers FC against Grayham FC at 3pm.
According to a fixture released by the ERSL, Gusha Bhora and Grayham FC will play the first game for this season after a delayed start due to late team registration which was also compounded by the proposed National League which eventually died a still birth.
The two teams are perennial campaigners in the eastern region elite league with GUsha Bhora having once played in the Castle Lager Premier League, gunning for a return after roping veteran coach, Luke ‘Vahombe’ Masomere recently to guide the team.
“This is our first match of the 2023 season and moral in the camp is high. We are very hopeful that we will collect maximum points in our quest for promotion. We invite all our supporters to come in full force and cheer up the team,” said veteran journalist who is Gusha Bhora spokesman, Clayton ‘Captain Fantastic’ Masekesa.
“I am excited to be back in football and our target is one, to gain promotion into the Premier League at the end of the season.
“We will not treat our first game as a special one, but like any other game as all games are important if we are to achieve our goal, we will take each game as it comes.
“Although our squad is not very strong, but they are good enough to give us the results that we want,” said Vahombe.
The other games lined for the first weekend of the season are Rusitu Tigers FC against Midway FC to be played at Chirombo Grounds at Ndima Secondary School in Chipinge on Saturday at 3pm, former Premiership side Chiredzi Stars FC will on Sunday host Surrey FC aka The Slaughter Boys at Chishamiso Stadium in Chiredzi at 3pm.
On Sunday as well, flamboyant Masvingo side, FC Wangu Mazodze aka Zhalala Zhulala host FC Hunters at Mucheke Stadium at 3pm while on Saturday former Premiership side, Masvingo Utd aka Una Una will travel all the way to Marondera for a date against JM Busha 54 FC at Chakondoma Stadium at 3pm.
Bikita Minerals will play host to former Premier League army side , Buffaloes FC at Lithium Stadium in Bikita on Saturday at 3pm.
On the same day and time Manica Diamonds Juniors FC hosts perennial Division 1 campaigners Masvingo Rural based gold miners, Renco Mine FC at Sakubva Stadium while Ruwa FC date Tenax FC at home at Windsor Primary School at the same time.
