There is excitement at Highway Football Club (HFC) at the prospect of playing in the Premier Soccer League (PSL) this season. But there is also a quite determination by players, coaching staff and everyone here to make their PSL debut something to remember.
Mutasa expressed confidence his team, which was promoted into the PSL this year, will not disappoint in their first season in the top flight league
There isn't much of a difference between Division One football and premiership, we have played Shooting Stars and Caps United before and the boys know what to expect. We also have players who have played in the league before and they will share their experience, Mutasa said.
I have to prove a point with Highway before I can move to a bigger club, it would be asking for too much too soon. Highway also needs to grow into a big club one day.
Highway Football Club began as a social club in 2003, then graduated into a Division 3 two years later, before being elevated to the upper level, the following year.
They went on to play two soccer seasons (2007-8) in the region's division one, with their 5-0 massacre of Mwanezana F.C, in the last match booking them a ticket into premiership.
Club secretary, Alfred Mukarakate says, we are here to stay.
It is not only the commitment of Mutasa or Mukarakate, which is likely to see the team sending tremors in the local football circles, but also the dedication by team manager Lloyd Chinawa, club owner -a Mutare businessman- Binali Yard and not to leave out the supporters who have rallied behind the team from the lower division.
It is a team believed to be in love with bling bling, with the players storming the match venue not in a team bus but luxurious cars.
However with the closure of the diamond fields in Chiyadzwa that had helped fund most businesses and activities in Mutare, there are fears HFC could be starved of cash and resources required to effectively challenge for honours in the top flight league.
But Mukarakate believes with strong commitment from sponsors the club will survive whatever difficulties and hardships may crop up in the future.
The club had never been awash with cash but what kept it going was the commitment of sponsors, players and all members.
He said: We were never the richest club … it was just a matter of individuals pulling their own resources. Playing in the premiership will present a big challenge because we will be talking of traveling costs and accommodation in such a challenging economy. We hope it is something the sponsors will look at.
Asked about improvements that his team may have to make to their game to survive the tough PSL, Mutasa said:Â We did well in all departments last year and this is our second week since we started training, it has been well.
We only need depth in all areas considering we are now looking at a higher level of competition, we will need to beef up some areas.
Post published in: Football