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Takudzwa Chitsiga Sports Reporter
VETERAN Harare City defender and skipper David Kutyauripo has saluted the Sunshine Boys for battling for their survival and ensuring they will be in the Premiership next season. After coming perilously close to winning the championship last year, Harare City had indifferent start to this season and never really fully recovered as they were forced to against relegation.

Harare City’s poor start to the season also cost Bigboy Mawiwi his coaching job with Masimba Dinyero coming in to finish the race.
The Sunshine Boys held their nerve to edge Chicken Inn 1-0 at Rufaro on Super Sunday with Osbourne Mukuradare making up for his penalty miss four minutes earlier to fire the priceless winner.

Kutyauripo, who has seen duty with Dynamos, Njube Sundowns and in Cyprus hailed his teammates for their never-say-die spirit and combined effort of his troops.

The experienced defender was also at the weekend chosen as one of the best 11 performers in the Castle Lager Premiership. Kutyauripo, however, conceded that Chicken Inn had given them a tough time in their final game of the season.

“It was a tough encounter because there was a lot of pressure on our part going into the game and they (Chicken Inn) did not have anything to lose.
“We were playing to save our team from relegation and it was a must win for us, it was a crucial match that was going to determine whether we would be making our way to Division1 or not.

“Coming into this game everyone knew what was at stake so we had to push hard from the onset until the match finished and that saw us surviving. We were not concerned about results of other teams who were in the same predicament as us as it was going to put us under pressure.

During the second half we urged each other not to lose concentration and we managed to defend throughout the 90 minutes,” Kutyauripo said.
Kutyauripo admitted that he had been worried about how his future was going to be affected if they were going to play in the lower league next season.

“I had the opportunity to attend the Soccer Stars of the Year selection and the moment I realised that I was one of the finalists it gave me strength to return and fight for our survival.

“I was with the team in camp when I attended the Soccer Stars selection and when I returned knowing that I was part of those who did well this season I challenged my teammates.

“It was not going to be easy for me as the captain and chosen among the best players to be seen going to Division One. I challenged the boys and we come up with a unity of purpose for this game.

“It was everyone’s wish that the team remains in the top flight and I am happy with the support we received even from the supporters, they were rallying us on.
“Our focus now would be preparing for next season knowing that we will still be in the top league,” said Kutyauripo.