Champions Ngezi back in business
CHAMPIONS Ngezi Platinum Stars have pounced on former Zimbabwe national team fringe player Richard Hachiro as they begin pre-season training ahead of their title defence in the coming season.
After a five-week festive break, the Mhondoro side regrouped early this week and conducted medicals and fitness tests for the returning players before embarking on the first day of pre-season training on Wednesday morning.
The technical team led by Takesure Chiragwi was yesterday involved in a long meeting with the club’s board where they thrashed out plans for the upcoming season.
Ngezi Platinum Stars this season will be fighting on two fronts and need adequate pre-season preparations to be able to handle the demands.
The Mhondoro side will look to defend the Castle Lager Premier Soccer League title, which they won for the first time last season.
They would also want to make an impression on their debut CAF Champions League participation as Zimbabwe’s representatives later this year.
Chiragwi has plans to keep his victorious team intact and make a few additions to bolster his side for experience.
Ngezi Platinum Stars will unveil their team in the coming days and the Zimpapers Sports Hub is reliably informed that they have so far settled for diminutive midfielder Hachiro who is set to join from former champions Chicken Inn.
“The aim is to remain competitive as a team. We are also aware of the demands that come with playing in the African Safari. So we need to really strengthen our team going into the new season.
“We have the young players in our development team who can come in and easily fit into the system,” said Chiragwi in a recent interview with the Zimpapers Sports.
Ngezi Platinum Stars are set to retain most of their players including veteran Qadr Amini who was crowned 2023 Soccer Star of the Year, last season’s Golden Boot winner Takunda Benhura, Leslie Kashtigu, Tinotenda Murasiranwa, Delic Murimba, Claude Mapoka, Bruno Mtigo, Farai Madhanaga and goalkeeper Nelson Chadya.
Chiragwi is also expected to welcome back Tapiwa Sibanda and Wayne Makuva who were on a season-long loan at relegated Triangle last season.
Another Triangle loanee Ariel Makopa had already been recalled when he suffered a nasty ankle injury towards the end of last season. Makopa is expected to have fully recovered and available for the pre-season training.
The team will also welcome back long-term injury casualty Carlos Mavhurume into the fold. Mavhurume suffered a knee injury and has since undergone corrective surgery.
The former Herentals and CAPS United man is back to fitness and has been doing some light training on his own in the last few weeks. He is expected to join the rest of the team for the pre-season preparations.
But the 2024 season looks an exciting prospect for the Premier Soccer League. A number of teams have already demonstrated lofty intentions by clearing deadwood and going all out to beef up for competition.
Shamva side Simba Bhora this week unveiled 10 new players who included 2022 Soccer Star of the Year Walter Musona and Perfect Chikwende from FC Platinum and Junior Makunike who had a brilliant debut season with Dynamos last year.
Former champions FC Platinum, who lost the crown to Ngezi Platinum last year after dominating the previous four seasons, are set to unveil their new acquisitions today. The Zvishavane miners are retuning their team after parting ways with eight players.