EASTERN REGION Division One Football league debutants Destiny of Africa Network (Danet) Football Club has risen from humble beginnings after they started playing in a church league in Mutare to challenging for topflight league promotion.
Danet was promoted to play in the country’s second tier last season.
The idea to be involved in football started almost five years ago under the name Church of Christ in Mutare as a way of fighting drug abuse among youths.
In an interview with The Sports Hub club secretary general Jemutias Manhondo chronicled the story of a project, which simply wanted to make a difference in the community.
“This started off as a church project with youths involved in a bid to fight drug abuse in Hobhouse, Natview and Chikanga suburbs in Mutare. The name of the team was Church of Christ,” he said.
“We played almost five years in the church league as boozers and by so doing our youth became very competitive and people encouraged us to join Division Two football and we did so. We were promoted to play in the Eastern Region Division One league at once and we are now in our first season,” Manhondo added.
Danet Manicaland chairman Wilson “Soks” Masokowere who is one of the leaders at Church of Christ in Mutare is the one who started the vision.
Manhondo said they changed the name of the team from Church of Christ to Destiny of Africa Network when they started playing in the Division Two league in Manicaland in 2022.
Masokowere said they are eyeing a top four finish in their maiden season.
“We are still studying the terrain because this is unlike in Division Two where we were promoted once, this season we are eyeing a top four position and we are confident of the achievement,” Masokowere said.
“There are high costs in the league and we are still looking for sponsorship. There are many issues, which are involved in running a club and we will remain professional as a team.
“We have young players in our team and they are talented and we also have some experienced players as well,” he said.
Destiny Football Stars have already charmed the football enthusiasts in the region after a good start to the season.
In their opening fixture they dispatched Chiredzi FC 2-0 in Mutare before losing to log leaders FC Wangu Mazodze 2-0 at Mucheke Stadium in Masvingo last weekend.
Despite losing in Masvingo last weekend they gave a good account of themselves against a side that is among the favourites for Premier League promotion this season.
The club has exciting players in goalkeepers Kelvin Magadu, Tinashe Masokowere, wingers Promise Sithole, Tinotenda Chigonde, defender Wilberforce Njeru and Bakela Kutinyu, who came from Chapungu Football Club in Gweru.
The club is under the tutelage of Rutherford Matondo while Peter Masibhera is the goalkeepers' coach.
Some members of the team are Temba "Shumba" Sauramba who is the treasurer while David Bati is the vice chairman.
