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Tobias Mandoreba in Hwange
ZIFA Southern Region Division One League newcomers Mosi Rovers and Moto Moto are both optimistic of success in their maiden participation in the regional league.

The two were promoted to the Southern Region Division One League as champions and runners-up respectively in the Zifa Matabeleland North Division Two League in 2016.

In separate interviews, representatives of both clubs said they were eager to make a lasting impression in Division One and not just to make up numbers.

Phumulo Mathe, the ambitious Rovers head coach, said although he would keep faith in most players that won him the Matabeleland North Division Two championship, they will definitely beef up their squad.

“As a club with lots of ambition, we will make all the necessary preparations for this new task. Most players in my team will be retained, although we are currently in the process of identifying players from Division One and even some from the Premier League to beef up our team ahead of the new season. I will be in a position to have names when we start training and trials on January 10,” said Phumulo.

“To me, the issue of relegation in our debut season is out. Ever since I started coaching in 1997, I have never coached a team that was relegated in any level of our leagues in Zimbabwe, and in this case we are aiming for a Premier Soccer League berth at least by 2020.”

Players like Ndabazabo Ndlovu, Leib Chiyoko, Trust Nkomazana, Tyson Ncube, Definite Tsikwa and Lennon Muronzi, who had brief stints with Highlanders and Tsholotsho FC in the past, all contributed to Rovers’ success and will be part of the 2017 squad.

Army outfit Moto Moto secretary Peter Mathe was also optimistic of his side’s Division One sojourn.

“We have a host of talented players at our disposal that helped us achieve this feat, but some reinforcements will be made in all the departments, with new players from Division One and even in the Division Two, as there is a lot of young talent there,” said Peter.

“We have tasked our coach Freddy Mudado to work on player identification even before the team officially starts pre-season preparations on February 2.”

Players likely to be retained by the soldiers for the Division One campaign include Willard Bembenene, Clifford Phiri, Melard Manyevere, Nomatter Mwembe, Evidence Muzabwa, Nigel Ndlovu and Needed Moyo.

@tobymandox