Ray Bande
Senior Reporter
TONGOGARA United Football Club is poised to make a significant impact in the Pacific Storm Eastern Region Division One League if their 4-2 convincing season opening triumph over seasoned campaigners, Mutare City Rovers is anything to go by.
The result sent shockwaves across the region, with Tongogara FC, a new outfit in the league, sending a clear message that they are set to be a force to be reckoned with.
However, their league encounter against St Paul’s Musami on Sunday at Rudhaka Stadium in Marondera will be a true test of character and consistency.
The team, based at Tongogara Refugee Settlement, deep in the thickets of Chipinge South Constituency, boasts of an impressive pool of talent, mainly drawn from inmates in the camp who hail from different strife torn regions of the continent.
Gusha Bhora, as Mutare City Rovers are fondly referred to, were first on the scoresheet through Morgan Muyadza early in the fourth minute, not only sending their fans into delirium, but creating huge expectations of an emphatic triumph.
However, their lead was short-lived, as Tongogara equalised four minutes later through Babadi Tshipamba.
Unfazed by adversity from the Mutare giants, the home team then took control of the game, adding two more goals to take a 3-1 lead through Trymore Kuzwayo (34th minute) and Methode Barantije (47th minute).
Tinashe Mangezi pulled one back for Mutare City Rovers in the 75th minute, reigniting some hope for Gusha Bhora.
Isee Mazora doused that hope as he scored deep into added time, making it 4-2 in favour of the hosts, breaking the hearts of the Gusha Bhora faithfuls, who were sensing a sensational comeback.
In a post-match interview, Tongogara coach, Valentine Takaendesa Mukwashi, dedicated the win to hard work and discipline.
“We are thrilled with the win, and it is a testament to the team’s hard work and dedication. We have been working tirelessly to improve our game, and it is paying off. We are a team to be reckoned with in this league,” he said.
Mukwashi also warned other teams that Tongogara means business.
“We are not just here to make up the numbers. We are here to compete, and we are going to give it our all every time we step onto the pitch. Other teams should take note of that,” he said.
The abundance of talent in the refugees’ camp has long been mentioned by several analysists, who have watched them in action, and it is also evident from the success story of Ngandu Mangala, a Congolese-born striker who was signed by Harare giants, Dynamos in 2019.
Mangala, then 25, made headlines with his impressive performances, including a brace against Mushowani Stars at Rufaro Stadium.
Notably, Mangala is a refugee from Tongogara Refugee Settlement, highlighting the camp’s potential for producing talented footballers.
The abundance of talent at Tongogara Refugee Settlement was further highlighted by Lloyd ‘Samaita’ Mutasa, former Dynamos coach.
After watching Tongogara United in action during the Gibson Marwa Tournament in Chipinge, Mutasa expressed his astonishment at the talent on display, particularly from Tshipampa Babadi and Francis Lukonde.
“I did not know that such talent exists in a place like that. The boys are exceptionally good and capable of impressing in the premiership. We will explore their availability, considering their status, but I would love to have them at DeMbare,” he said then when he was still Dynamos head coach.
Tongogara United FC made history last year by becoming the first refugee team to qualify for the Eastern Region Soccer League Division One.
Fixtures:
Saturday: JM Busha FC v Tenax FC (Rudhaka Stadium); Destiny Stars FC v FC Hunters (Chisamba Ground); Mutare City Rovers v Chivhu FC (Sakubva Stadium); Great Zimbabwe University v Renco Mine (Mucheke Stadium):
Sunday: Deportivo La Murambinda v Masvingo United (Uhera); Buffaloes v Manica Diamonds Juniors FC (Showgrounds); St Paul’s Musami v Tongogara FC (Rudhaka Stadium); Rusitu Tigers v FC Wangu Mazodze (Ndima).
