Embarking upon their inaugural campaign in the Eastern Region Division Two, newcomers Hunyani F.C. will take to the pitch tomorrow afternoon with a singular and unyielding ambition: promotion to the first tier.
The league debutants are slated to host Mannyset F.C. at their fortress, the Airport Stadium at Robert Gabriel Mugabe International Airport, with kick-off scheduled for 1:00 p.m. local time.
Club Chairperson Mr. Jeremy Mnangagwa has framed tomorrow’s fixture not merely as a debut, but as the foundation of a deliberate ascent up the footballing pyramid.
“We built this club to give Hunyani’s youth a real pathway,” Mr. Mnangagwa. “There is one target for the season promotion.”
Eschewing the modern trend of mercenary signings, the club insists its focus remains firmly on sustainable, grassroots development. “We are not renting players or chasing quick fixes,” the Chairman elaborated. “We are investing in coaching, welfare, and discipline so that our progress lasts.”
Officially launched this past February, the football outfit boasts a locally sourced roster and is proudly backed by its patron and vice-chairman, Deputy Minister of Tourism Tongai Mnangagwa. Under the stewardship of head coach and former referee Mr. Basil Makoni, the squad is quietly confident.
On the field of play, Manager Makoni has entrusted midfield organiser Beven Makoni, winger Trust Muchemwa, and goalkeeper Prince Madzore with setting the tactical and professional standard for the fledgling squad.
The team recently tested their mettle at last weekend’s ZIFA Mashonaland East tournament in Marondera, an event supported by the charity vehicle Tonganyika Trust. There, pre-season favourites and reigning champions Rusununguko who have elected to remain in Division Two, dispatched the Betterbrands-sponsored Ghetto Boys via penalties in a hard-fought final.
Acknowledging the formidable competition within the league, Mr. Mnangagwa remarked, “Those are the levels we test ourselves against. We learn, we adjust, we go again.”
Off the pitch, the club’s administration is pioneering a holistic approach to player management, an element frequently neglected in the lower divisions. Club budgets have been strictly allocated to ensure regular medical cover, structured training regimens, and educational support for junior players.
“Football gives them focus and a way out. If we are to handle success, we must also teach them responsibility,” the Chairman noted.
