The ManicaPost
Ray Bande Senior Reporter
MANICALAND is set to witness its first ever Premier Soccer League derby following the survival of Manica Diamonds and the recent promotion of Tenax FC.
Manica Diamonds booked a place in the 2020 Castle Lager Premiership season in style when they outplayed a stubborn Chapungu 2-0 at Vengere Stadium on Wednesday to bring their tally to 44.
Even if they go on to lose the season’s last encounter against Black Rhinos on Sunday and all the teams below them on the log standings win their last round of league matches this weekend, Manica Diamonds can only end the season on 12th position, at worst.
However, world over football matches pitting clubs from the same city — epitomised by the Manchester Derby featuring the Red Devils and the Citizens — normally produce a rare entertaining brand of highly competitive football.
Not until the 2020 Castle Lager Premiership season had Manicaland ever known the feeling of having two of its clubs in the country’s top-flight league at the same time.
In recent years, the now defunct duo of Eastern Lions and Highway FC as well as army outfit Buffaloes and Mutare City Rovers have took turns to represent Manicaland in the domestic top-flight league.
Manica Diamonds chairman Chihowa said it was exciting for Manicaland to have two teams in the Castle Lager Premiership.
He said, all things being equal, the city actually deserves more.
“No doubt, Mutare deserves more teams in the Premiership and it is only that the economy is not performing as it should, hence sponsorship becomes a challenge.
“All things being equal, Mutare and Manicaland at large deserve more teams in the Premiership.
“However, we are excited that we now have two teams in the Premiership. This gives the platform to display talent for our youths in the province.
“It is not easy for our young men to get a chance even for trials when they try their luck at some clubs based in other provinces but now that we have two of our own I have no doubt that we will have more young players from Manicaland showcasing their talents,” said Chihowa.
Tenax FC chairman Stefani Masina said Manicaland should embrace both teams as a way to develop the sport in the province.
“Both Tenax Fc and Manica Diamonds have their roots here in Manicaland and therefore there is need for every serious football personality in Manicaland to support both teams so that we keep watching Premiership football for a long time to come.
“It feels good to see Manica Diamonds surviving and us getting promoted. It means more top-flight football action closer home. We need to work hard as a community to ensure we keep these teams in the Premiership, and, if possible, add more,” said Masina in an interview on the sidelines of the Zifa Eastern Region awards ceremony on Sunday.
