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Speaking in an interview, Zvishavane Bulls chairman Ganizani Ganizani said they had identified a number of sponsors who were willing to support the team materially.

“We are working with a number of organisations that have expressed a desire to sponsor our team not financially but with rugby kits, balls and other requirements. These organisations are business partners with platinum mining giant Mimosa who bankroll Premier League football team FC Platinum,” said Ganizani.

He however declined to disclose the sponsors saying the deal was still in its infancy.

“At the moment I cannot disclose those sponsors but something will definitely materialise next season,” said Ganizani.

Businessman Jose Ferreira is sponsoring the asbestos mining team and according to sources he is doing a great job.

“Jose Ferreira is our saviour at the moment and he has single-handedly sponsored our team and we owe him a lot,’” said one player who refused to be named.

Zvishavane Bulls gained promotion to the elite rugby league after they conquered the other teams in the Midlands Matabeleland Rugby League. But however they have been facing financial problems due to the operational challenges affecting Shabanie Mine.

Meanwhile, Zvishavane Bulls technical advisor Darlington Majoni has said they are ready to stand the heat in the National League.

“I can assure you that the Bulls are ready to charge and scrum over the opposition come next season. We have blended youth with experience and our team won’t be push-overs next season. A lot of teams will be punished by the Bulls,” he said.

Majoni is a former scrumhalf with the Bulls and was part of an exciting Bulls team in the 1990s. He played alongside his brothers Aubrey and Trust, Davie Fombe, Richard Moyo and Admire Matunge.

Bulls coach Emanuel Munyoro was part of that team and the late Sables legendary flyhalf Anorld “Fancy” Takawira was the star of the team. It is at the Bulls then known as Shabanie Mine that Takawira first cut his rugby teeth.

Called “Fancy” because of his superb ball handling skills, Takawira later moved to Matabeleland Warriors then known as Busters. At Busters he quickly established himself as one of the best rugby players of his generation.

Okita “Springbok” Blanche was the coach of that exciting team with the late Adam Makovere as team manager. An ardent fan of the Springboks of South Africa, Blanche introduced an expansive type of rugby that made the Bulls a very competitive side.

Ganizani also said they will try to look for new players to bolster their team before the season kicks off.

“We are going to have a tournament early next year which will involve teams from Bulawayo, Gweru and Masvingo. During the tournament we will identify some players to engage. Hopefully next year the tournament will have a sponsor,” said Ganizani.

There were fears that Zvish Bulls would play their games at Gweru Sports Club because their home ground Macadam Field was not suitable but Ganizani said Bulls will definitely be playing at home.

“We have since acquired a pump to water our ground and with the little rain that has fallen, Macadam Field will be back to its former glory,” said Ganizani.

Macadam was once rated among the best rugby stadia in days gone by until water problems threatened the existence of the ceremonial home of rugby in Zvishavane.