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Don Makanyanga-Sports Reporter

Ngezi Platinum Queens have exceeded expectations on their first ever season.

The women’s soccer team is a project put together by outgoing Premier Soccer League champions Ngezi Platinum Stars to comply with the Caf club licensing requirements ahead of their maiden CAF champions league dance.

At the inception of the club, not many expectations were attached as the main focus was to comply with CAF requirements while also empowering the girl child from the Mhondoro-Ngezi community.

Eight months down the line, the Madamburo Queens are now on the verge of writing their own piece of history by gaining promotion into the women’s top tier league.

The team’s success also comes after winning the pre-season tournament for the Northern Region Women’s Soccer league.

The team, which is made up of girls below the age of 20, has caught the mining town by surprise, with looming promotion into the Zimbabwe Women’s Soccer League.

They currently trail log leaders Black Rhinos Queens by six points.

The six points emanated from their back-to-back defeats against the log leaders, Black Rhinos.

With the curtain coming down on the Northern Region Women League with log leaders Black Rhinos already having a team in the top flight, Ngezi Platinum Stars could benefit from the scenario and gain promotion into the top flight.

Ngezi Platinum Queens coach, Yohane Chikaola revealed to Zimpapers Sports Hub that promotion into the top flight on the first attempt was never the team’s intention as they had long term plans for the objective,” said Chikaola.

“Finishing off the season in the position we did came as a surprise. We had no pressure at all of wanting to play Super League football next season.

“We had set a target of three seasons building the team until we are ready but we are still happy with this quick success.”

Interestingly the team was assembled from players who barely played the game.

“Our recruitment targeted locally based players from surrounding villages around Turf-Ngezi.

“And for most of the players it was their first time to participate in women’s football with no basic technical skills at all.

“So the secret of the team to become successful was always repetition of football basic skills training till they were more familiar with football.

“Hence for us this debut season we were focused on participation not on results,” said the Ngezi Platinum Queens coach.

Apart from the dedication and commitment of the players, Chikaola also praised her technical team for being patient with the players.

Ngezi Platinum Stars coach Takesure Chiragwi and the team manager would help the women team whenever possible.

“I also give credit to all other fellow coaches and staff at Ngezi because every Thursday we played friendly matches for the girls team against technical team staff and special mentioning coach Chiragwi and manager Nengomasha playing versus the girls team. it gave confidence to the team,” he said.

To cap off their successful season, Ngezi Platinum Queens provided the golden boot award and her runner up.

Clementine Mavenge was crowned top goal-scorer with 29 goals with her fellow teammate Patience Nkomo coming second with 18 goals.