Ex-Pirates star set to renew bid for promotion in Zimbabwe

Former Orlando Pirates striker Gilbert Mushangazhike is set to renew his bid to gain promotion into Zimbabwe’s Castle Lager Premier Soccer League.

Mushangazhike, who is in-charge of Golden Eagles, played bridesmaids to Simba Bhora last season after losing grip of the sole promotion ticket at the eleventh hour.

The highly-rated former Zimbabwe international has been quitely doing his transfer business, with hope of exorcising the demons of last season.

His men face five unforgiving fixtures when the season starts. 

They will open the campaign with a date against one of last season’s contenders Herentals Under-20 before taking on ZPC Harare, Chegutu Pirates, Pam FC and Trojan Stars.

THE FORMER ORLANDO ATTACKER SPEAKS…

“It’s not going to be easy but we are working on doing better than last season,” Mushangazhike reservedly said.

The former Manning Rangers gunslinger took over from Joel Lupahla half way through last season.

At that point, Golden Eagles sat pretty at the summit of the Northern Region log standings although with a narrow margin over Simba Bhora and Herentals respectively.

The later fizzled out towards the end of the season fo surrender the lead to Simba Bhora who eventually gained the promotion ticket.

However Mushangazhike managed to retain the club’s faith after helping them win the coveted Axis Super Cup.

The beat Simba Bhora 2-0 in the final, a achievement that all but gave the 47-year-old some respite going into the new season which has been pencilled to start in February or early March.

Another former Premier Soccer League Stuart Murisa will also hope to make impact in the forthcoming season with his Chegutu Pirates.

On the otherhand former Mamelodi Sundowns and Bidvest Wits striker Cuthbert Malajila will have his CUMA Academy competing in the Division 2.

CUMA is among the four teams that were relegated from the second division when the 2022 season ended.

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