NEWLY-CROWNED Castle Lager Premier Soccer League champions Ngezi Platinum Stars are keen to make an impression when they make their Caf Champions League bow next year.
The Mhondoro-Ngezi-based side previously participated in the African Safari in 2017 when they played in the Caf Confederations Cup but could not go beyond the first round.
Speaking at their players annual awards ceremony, club president Takawira Maswiswi said they will not be in the continent's premier club competition to make up numbers.
"We want to make a mark in Africa and we will certainly do so. It’s going to be a challenging year for us but I am confident that we will be equal to the task," Maswiswi said.
The club said they will renovate Baobab Stadium to meet Caf minimum standards so they can host their champions league matches at home.
Zimbabwe presently does not have a certified stadium to host international matches.
Maswiswi said he was proud of his club's achievement this year in which they won their maiden league title before finishing as runners' up in the Chibuku Super Cup, the country's biggest knockout competition.
Their coach Takesure Chiragwi was voted the coach of the year while the club took the league's most disciplined team accolade.
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In addition, three of their players made it into the 11 finalists for the Soccer Star of the Year award.
Captain Qadr Amini was voted the Soccer Star of the Year at a ceremony last week and was predictably crowned the club's best player at the club's annual players awards yesterday.
The utility player enjoyed a remarkable season, guiding the team to win the title by contributing seven goals to their cause.
Flanked by his two wives, and his mother at yesterday's ceremony, Amini was handed a trophy plus US$1 000 cash for his efforts.
Striker Takunda Benhura was another big winner at the awards ceremony after he picked the golden boot and rookie player of the year awards which had a combined cash prize of US$900.
Benhura scored 13 goals to finish as the league's top goal scorer in the just-ended season.
Defender Kudzai Chigwida walked away with the player's player of the season; an accolade voted for by his peers.
The long service award was given to goalkeeper Nelson Chadya, Malvin Kwinjo, John Bonomali and Marlon Mushonga who have been with Ngezi for five or more years.
Sports deputy minister Emily Jesaya was the guest of honour at the glittering ceremony held in Mhondoro-Ngezi.
Ngezi Platinum Stars Awards
- Most disciplined player: Polite Moyo (US$400)
- Most loyal player: Nelson Chadya (US$400)
- Most improved player: Leslie Kashtigu (US$400)
- Most Promising player: Nesbert Muzenda (US$400)
- Rookie player of the Year: Takunda Benhura (US$400)
- Golden Boot award (US$500)
- Players player of the year: Kudzai Chigwida (US$500)
- Player of the Year: Qadr Amini (US$1 000)
- Find of the season: Gareth Madhake (US$200)
- Long service award: Nelson Chadya, Malvin Kwinjo, John Bonomali, Marlon Mushonga.
- Supporter of the Year: Talent Rice.
