Two of Zimbabwe’s revered football tacticians Moses Chunga and Rahman Gumbo are set to be the center of attraction in this season’s race for promotion in the ZIFA Central Region Division One league. The league is expected to start when things normalize following the coronavirus lockdown on public events.
Nevertheless, Chunga and Gumbo are the natural favorites in what promises to be a cliff-hanger fight for promotion. Chunga, returns to the dugout at Chapungu after a four-year sabbatical that followed an unsuccessful stint at Harare City.
In an interview with CommTalk, Moses Chunga said he is relishing a clash with his former Highlanders rival.
“Naturally, the prospect of facing Rahman (Gumbo) is scary but I am ready. Though we are going to play in the lower tier, which is not where we would have loved to play, this one will be a top-drawer meeting.
“The promotion ticket however remains our main priority and we are going to win it considering the experience that we have, its certain that we will walk away with the bragging rights,” said Chunga.
Chapungu are hoping Herentals will lose their appeal against expulsion from the PSL, a feat that would elevate them back to the topflight, but Chunga is already in the Division one mode.
Gumbo will be seeking to reinvent himself after his efforts to save TelOne’s premiership status suffered a still birth. In a separate interview, he said he is wary of unheralded Division One teams.
“Names do not matter in Division One, because so-called small teams can shock you. Only hard work and the zeal to return quickly to the PSL will make the difference,” he said.
However, the pair will have to be sterling throughout the season as they will face stiff competition from perennial campaigners, which include Sheasham, Vumbachikwe and others.
