“The journey taught us everything”- Chatidhege FC Chairman Eric Chacha speaks after Munhumutapa Cup exit
The fairytale has ended, but the dream is far from over for ZIFA Mashonaland East Division 2 side Chatidhege Football Club.
The Scorpions bowed out of the multi-million dollar ZIFA Munhumutapa Challenge Cup with a 3-1 Round of 32 loss to MWOS U19 at Ngoni Stadium on Monday.
Despite going behind early, the “Wisemen from the East” showed character to pull level at 1-1 by halftime.
The experience of the young Punters side eventually told in the second half, but Chatidhege walked off with their heads held high.
Their cup run was one to be proud of. It began with a 2-1 win over Mutoko United in Round 1, followed by a famous 3-1 away victory over Cheetahs FC at Colliery Stadium in Hwange in Round 2, before the journey ended in Mutare.
In an exclusive interview with Fanzone, Chatidhege FC Chairman Eric Chacha reflected on the experience and what it means for the club going forward.
On the cup journey and lessons learnt, Chacha said: “It was a long journey. Firstly I would like to thank His Excellency the President Cde E.D. Mnangagwa for awarding such a golden opportunity in the ZIFA Munhumutapa Cup where grassroots teams get to play premier teams. During the journey we gained a lot of experience. We have managed to interact with different teams, players, and Coaches and we have actually learnt a lot from them. We lost 3-1 to the young and experienced MWOS U19. We gave them a hard time but eventually we lost the game.”
With the cup chapter now closed, focus has immediately shifted back to the league. Chatidhege currently sit 3rd on the ZIFA Mashonaland East Division 2A log after 19 games, with 13 wins, 4 draws and just 2 defeats.
They have scored 39 goals and boast the best defense in the top 3, having conceded only 11 goals. They trail leaders Axiom Academy by 10 points and 2nd placed Ghetto Pirates by 7 points.
On the promotion push, Chacha was clear: “Now that the Munhumutapa cup is over, we are now focusing on our Division Two league. Our aim is to finish first and join our brothers in the Division One league. As Chatidhege FC, we have put a number of strategies on the ground to make sure that we achieve our set objectives. The morale on the team is very high and the team have good players.”
Looking ahead to future editions of the Zifa Munhumutapa Challenge Cup, which now has a five-year sponsorship, the Chacha set an ambitious target. “Going forward on the Munhumutapa Cup Challenge and with the experience we have now, we aim to improve. At least we aim to finish in the quarter final, then we grab the Cup in 2028.”
Chacha also took time to thank everyone who made the journey possible. “Finally, I would want to thank the media especially the Eastern Region Pacific team and our own local media Ndera News, we say well done for promoting your own teams. To our sponsors we say thank you for making this journey easy for us. Those who provide transport, tracksuits for the boys, soccer balls, uniforms, training kits and winning bonuses, we say thank you. For the Scorpion supporters, I say a big thank you.”
From Hwange to Ngoni, from giant-killers to serious promotion chasers, Chatidhege FC have reminded grassroots football that big dreams are still alive in Mashonaland East.
