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Ricky Zililo, Senior Sports Reporter
VICTORIA Falls-based Southern Region Division One League side Amagagasi’s quest to challenge for the championship this season has suffered a blow following a massive player exodus.

Amagagasi, who finished third last season behind champions Bantu Rovers and Bulawayo Chiefs, were the Southern Region Division One League’s surprise package, staying at the top of the table for the better part of the season only to slip towards the end of the race.

The Victoria Falls side’s fairytale run had been expected to roll into 2017, but the departure of at least 10 players to Premiership and First Division sides might affect their plans.

Players that led Amagagasi’s exodus include attacking midfielder Jimu Muli, who has reportedly signed for Hwange, defender Fortune Ncube, who moved to Bulawayo City, the trio of winger Arthur Musiiwa, defenders Bekithemba Moyo and Takunda Muzuva, who have   joined Bulawayo Chiefs.

Amagagasi have also lost midfielder Innocent Ndlovu and defender Fungai Karipache to Makomo, defender Nqobani Mpofu to ambitious First Division side Talen Vision, as well as the pair of striker Clifton Mwale and midfielder Ryan Mabhena, who are reportedly on the verge of concluding deals with PSL side Shabanie Mine.

Sam Sibanda, Amagagasi’s secretary-general, confirmed that the 10 players were no longer part of their camp, but remained hopeful that their rebuilding exercise would yield desired results.

Sibanda’s sentiments come after the new-look Amagagasi drew 0-0 and 2-2 against Premiership side Hwange last week.

“Everyone believes we will come right and won’t be in the race just to add numbers. We set a high bar last season and we have to try to maintain or even achieve bigger things than last season. We’ve lost about 10 players, which in some way might be viewed as a setback, but it might turn out to be a blessing in disguise for us in the sense that the new guys will work hard to achieve better. We wish those that have left the club the best at their new homes,” said Sibanda.

Amagagasi managed to retain, among key players in their 2016 campaign, goalkeepers Wellington Muuya and Elton Phiri, defenders Brighton Dzowa and France Ncube, the midfield trio of Clinton Ncube, Clement Makamba and Darlington Tshabalala, as well as strikers Lungile Bravo Nyathi and Trust Maseko.

The ambitious club, which dreams of being the first team from the resort town to play in the PSL, has also beefed its technical team with coaches accustomed to the First Division.

Dumile Mpofu and Ndoga Nyoni have been brought in to assist head coach Zibonele Ncube.

Mpofu, a Caf B Licence holder, who was in the same Caf C Licence class with ex-national team gaffer Norman Mapeza in 2010, has had coaching stints with defunct First Division sides Kujatana and Victoria Falls Tigers, while Nyoni, a Caf C Licence holder, is a former Trumus FC coach.

@ZililoR