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Brandon Moyo, Sports Reporter

NKETA Cricket Club have partnered with retail giants Choppies Supermarket in a kit sponsorship deal that will run for the entire season.

Promoted into the Bulawayo Metropolitan Cricket Association First League this season, Nketa will be donning the Choppies branded kit which was unveiled at a ceremony held at former Heath Streak Academy. The sponsorship is for both the tops and bottoms.

The club is grateful to Choppies for walking with them in their debut season at the top.

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“They say if you want to walk fast walk alone but if you want to reach far walk with others. We are therefore delighted to have Choppies Supermarket supporting our dream as our kit sponsorship.

“We hope and pray that our partnership will grow in years to come, not only to our benefit but in growing the Choppies brand as well,” said Nketa Cricket Club committee member, Tendai Musasa.

The newly promoted club has so far played only one match in the season which they lost at the hands of Queens Sports Club. They are sitting in position three of the four team league with a better net run rate than that of bottom placed Amakhosi Cricket Club. In pole position sits Bulawayo Athletic Club, followed by Queens Sports Club. 

Musasa said they are looking at a top two finish so they can get the chance to represent the province in the National Premier League (NPL) as they also hope to have the club become a household name.

“The Nketa dream, to be one of the best cricket clubs in the country, is close to 20 years old now. The dream will continue growing as we strive for the club to be recognised nationally and beyond our borders,” he said.

He is confident the sponsorship deal will be motivation enough for the players to give their all in matches.

“It’s our first season in the BMCA First League and to have such a big brand supporting us will definitely boost our confidence on the playing field, wearing one of the most nicely designed kits. The club will definitely be inspired to do well and associate the Choppies brand with excellence,” said Musasa.

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Meanwhile, as the first league teams have only played one round of matches due to Tuskers’ commitments in the Pro50 Championship while the second league has been enjoying cricket. Four rounds of matches have been played so far in the second league.

Nketa 2 is leading the pack with 14 points where they have won three of their four matches with one being a no result. They are closely chased by Amakhosi 2 who have the same number of points. In third place sits Nust who are one point behind the leading pack while BAC 2 in fourth position have 12 points.

Gampu Lions is sitting in position five with two wins and as many defeats while Wholesale Beef Bulls is in position six with eight points. 

They are followed by Queens Sports Club 2 who also have eight points and behind them sits Champions who have two points. ZRP Bulawayo and Roosters make the bottom two and they have one and minus three points respectively.

First League matches are expected to return this coming weekend. — @brandon_malvin