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Blessing Malinganiza

Less than a week after clinching the Pro50 Championship title, Eagles have now shifted focus to the Logan Cup tournament as they eye a clean sweep of trophies in the 2023-24 franchise league tournaments.

Eagles, the Harare based franchise clinched the first of the three franchise trophies for the season when they beat Midlands based franchise, Rhinos by five wickets in the Pro50 Championship final at Takashinga on Saturday.

Eagles coach and former national team captain, Elton Chigumbura is revelling in the championship win after managing to achieve a target they had set themselves as a franchise before the start of the season.

“It’s really wonderful and good to lift the trophy which is something we were working towards to achieve since the start of the season and it always feels great to achieve your target.

“To have the trophy in the bag is a massive achievement for the franchise and for I am happy for the boys,” said Chigumbura. Eagles have since shifted their focus to red-ball cricket.

“I am quite happy, excited delighted that we won the Pro50 title.

“Now we go into the Logan Cup with the same mentality, which is obviously about winning the trophy.

“The format might be different as it needs us to be a bit patient and also use our skills,” said Chigumbura.

Eagles started their campaign in the four-day games yesterday with a date against Tuskers at Takashinga Sports Club.

“What is important is that we win our first game and come out on top and maintain the top position which gives us the momentum going into the season,” said the Eagles coach.

With Chigumbura crediting the senior guys for steering the ship, the Eagles coach is expecting the same mentality in the Logan Cup as they gun for their second trophy of the season.

“In the Pro50 the guys played a massive role, and everyone who played, played to the best of their ability and the good thing about our team is that everyone who was called to represent the franchise did play their part.

“And for me as coach it made my job easier. “Experience played a big part because we have a number of senior players in the squad and the calmness in the changing room was massive and I think that is what made us win matches the guys.

“There were games in which we were under pressure but calmness which comes with experience came into play and carried us over the line and we are expecting it as we head into the Logan Cup,” said Chigumbura.