The ManicaPost
Moffat Mungazi
Sports Correspondent
MUTARE-BASED Premiership newcomers, Tenax, are excited about the prospect of participating in the elite league following the nod granted for resumption of football among other high risk sports.
Preparations for the game’s resumption — which was paused on the eve of the 2020 season’s kickoff following the outbreak of the Covid-19 pandemic last March — are taking shape, with the Sports and Recreation Committee announcing this week that all is set for action once the proposals are finalised and all health protocols are met and satisfied.
This comes as sweet news to Chauya Chikara (Tenax) who had had their top-tier league dream deferred for a whole year.
The Zimbabwe Prisons and Correctional Services side earned promotion after clinching the Zifa Eastern Region Division title at the conclusion of the 2019 season.
Speaking to Post Sport in a telephone interview on Monday, club chairman, Stefani Masina, said they welcome the development and are looking forward to competing among the big boys with relish.
“This (expected return of football) is good for the game. As Tenax, we have all along been gearing to keep up with others. Our coaches and players continued working on bringing themselves to speed with the latest global trends in football through regular individualised programmes. We cannot wait to get onto the pitch because this was a dream which took years in the making and we are proud to be eventually here,” said a bullish Masina.
He added that there was no major shake-up in the club’s executive and technical structures, while the core of the squad was also retained.
This, he said, was meant to foster continuity. Evergreen sharpshooter and captain, Farai Mugumwa headlines the cast of stars set to do duty for the gold and green-shirted boys, as well as new signing, Panashe Mutasa.
“There has not been any player movement in terms of incomings and outgoings. Most of our footballers are employed in the force as correctional services officers and as such we were covered in that aspect. In fact, they are on long-term contracts and a bulk of them is here to stay. Therefore, there have been no departures. As for new signings, we can only approach those that our coaches would have identified and recommended after having a good look at them. So the spine of the team is in place. The likes of Joseph Jambo, Malvern Dumbura, Takunda Mapara and Phillip Makumi are still on our books.
“Our technical department is still headed by Shadreck Mugurasave and his trusted lieutenants, while the executive committee only co-opted a few new individuals from the local community for purposes of inclusivity so that we tap into and exploit their expertise,” Masina told Post Sport.
Expressing confidence that the club has the stamina to hold its own against the big boys of the local game, the Tenax boss, highlighted that they have been quietly and studiously doing their homework as they seek permanent residence in the Premiership. They are banking on an exciting blend of youth and experience to carry the day for them.
He said: “Our house is in order. We have a clear plan of what we want to achieve in the league. We are keen on a prolonged stay in this division beyond the forthcoming season. Our desire is to compete and not just make up numbers. The lion is an emblem which symbolises what we stand for as a club and in that fearless spirit we are ready to roar and fight.”
The Chauya Chikara chairman urged football followers around Manicaland to throng Sakubva Stadium in their droves and rally behind the two teams representing the city — Tenax and Manica Diamonds — for their home matches in order to keep the Mutare Derby dream alive.
Tenax declared that they have put their past challenges behind them. Upon promotion from Division One, the club faced a number of glitches, running late in paying up the required $208 000 affiliation fees for Premier Soccer League membership.
After initially missing the deadline, they eventually settled the payment in full and successfully registered their players.
