The Sunday Mail
Langton Nyakwenda in Ngezi —
NGEZI Platinum Stars have given coach Tonderai Ndiraya a war chest to invade the transfer market and assemble a squad that will secure a top four finish in the club’s second year in top flight football.
The platinum miners won the country’s biggest knockout tournament, the Chibuku Super Cup, in their maiden Premier League season which gave them the right to represent Zimbabwe in the CAF Confederation Cup and also managed to finish seventh on the standings.
Buoyed by their strong showing in the just ended season, the club has now challenged Ndiraya and his men to go a step further and place among the country’s best four teams when the curtain comes down on the 2017 football season.
Speaking at the club’s end of year awards here on Friday night, club president Stanely Segula assured management will provide all the necessary resources to make sure Ndiraya gets all the players he wants in the transfer market but also said they were not setting any targets in the team’s sojourn in continental football.
“We are happy with what we achieved in 2016,” said Segula.
“lt has given us belief that we can do even better in 2017.”
“We are now targeting a top four finish in our second season in the top flight and we will be giving the technical team all the necessary support and resources to beef up the squad, especially ahead of the CAF Confederation Cup.
“We are however not setting any targets in the CAF Confederation Cup but all we are saying is go there and enjoy,” said Segula.
How Mine left back Qadr Amini looks set to be the team’s first signing in preparation for the 2017 season and his decision to attend the club’s awards ceremony fuelled speculation that he is close to joining the Chibuku Super Cup champions.
Captain Liberty Chakoroma was the biggest winner of the night after scooping both the Player of the season and Players’ Player of the season accolades.
Dribbling wizard Donald Teguru who played for the club from division one won the most improved player award while 19-year-old Young Warriors keeper Nelson Chadya won the Rookie of the year award.
