Collin Nikisi
MASVINGO:
Looking back at the history of the beautiful game in Zimbabwe, there’s been some incredible stories.
From St Pauls Musami record of being the only team outside of Harare and Bulawayo to win the premier league title 51 years ago, to rural Tsholotsho FC defying the odds to compete favourably in the Premier League in 2014 – we all love an underdog.
But has anything quite matched the remarkable rise that Bikita Minerals have just pulled off?
A group of amateur players and miners from Division one to Premier League. It’s unheard of. An achievement so unique that it’s hard to believe it will ever be repeated again, although I’m sure others will have something to say about that.
This is a club that might well have disappeared altogether when Covid 19 kicked in and when football resumed the club had folded. Players and fans were forced to look from afar as the team endured a one year forced sabbatical.
However, this is a club that never gives up. Even in that darkest of seasons, there was a ray of light.
In February 2022 Sinomine Resources acquired Bikita minerals and immediately pledged to revive the club.
There was more heartache to come though. The club had to endure three straight losses in the opening matches, but once they were back, they were unstoppable.
Every week, the Lithium boys improved their position in the league – culminating in this month nail-biting, nerve-shredding finale. In true Bikita style, it was never going to be easy.
This is a team that’s been assembled on a modest budget – largely consisting of mine workers, free transfers and players discarded by other clubs.
No one epitomises Bikita’s journey more than defender Frank Jeke who has become the first captain to go from non-league to the Premier league with the same club. As a Dynamos fan, he can now look forward to fulfilling his dream when he takes to the pitch at the National Sports Stadium next season.
Others have been with them every step of the way as well, including long serving players Bennedict Kaka Bera, Hillary Jeke, Leeroy Chivangu and Kundai Kwashirai who steered them to promotion.
But even more than that, this win is for the fans.
Those fans who were there on that fateful day the team failed to affiliate with the ERSL. Those fans who filled away ends at places like Rusitu and JM Busha. Those fans who have never stopped believing.
Having spent time in the town in the lead-up to this month’s date with destiny, it’s hard not to feel pleased for them.
I’m not afraid to admit I almost shed a tear when a bunch of children at Bikita Primary sang their hearts out in assembly on Friday morning to show their support to their heroes. It really was a beautiful moment.
Bikita is a town that sometimes gets a bad rap, but this promotion will be life-changing for so many connected with the club – and will also have a wider impact. Premier League football will bring with it a huge economic boost to local businesses, and now the country will get to see Bikita for the diverse and vibrant place that it is.
As for the club, there’ll be challenges, most notably a race against time to renovate the Lithium stadium ahead of the new topflight season, as well as building a squad worthy of being able to compete in the best league in the country.
But these are challenges club chairman Mike Mushava and his staff will be more than happy to embrace.
The injection of funding from the company will go a long way to securing the club’s future, including helping to fund the construction works.
The prophets of doom of course will almost certainly have the Lithium Boys as favourites to go straight back down, but whatever happens, this is a footballing fairytale that will give others hope.
Bikita’s rags-to-riches story is one that shows that sometimes the good guys do still win.
And if that’s not something to celebrate, then I don’t know what is.
