Redemption: Mushangazhike retains club’s faith in Zimbabwe 

After winning the Axis Cup in Zimbabwe, former Orlando Pirates striker Gilbert Mushangazhike believes he has done enough to retain Golden Eagles’ faith in him.

Golden Eagles beat Simba Bhora 2-0 in the final of the cup competition on Saturday.

The victory all but gave the former Manning Rangers attacker, Mushangazhike, some respite as his credentials were under massive scrutiny after playing bridesmaids to the same opponents in the Northern Region promotion race.

“It might not necessarily be redemption, but we are happy with such an achievement. I’m happy that this has shown our club that we are not far from our objectives,” Mushangazhike told FARPost.

“We are a strong team, with spirit, and we are not losing hope because the just ended season was perhaps not ours.”

WHAT HE NEEDS TO WORK ON…

The former Zimbabwe international identified the area which he needs to work on ahead of next season.

“I like the way we applied ourselves in the match; we beat them in the final. We missed chances, so it’s clear we have to work on our conversion rate for the future,” added Mushangazhike.

“We are not relaxing because we have targets. I like the fact that this win [Axis Cup] shows that we are not far from reaching the club’s main objective.

“Everyone in the team is aiming to be in the premiership, and what we achieved this season must work as a steppingstone in the next campaign.”

The 47-year-old was elevated from Golden Eagles’ developmental side following the departure of Joel Lupahla, who left by mutual consent in March.

At that point, the Harare-based side were in control of their destiny in Northern Region Division One.

But they fizzled out at a crucial stage of the season to end the season in the third position, behind Simba Bhora and Herentals U20, who were first and second, respectively.

Simba Bhora gained the promotion ticket into the Castle Lager Premier Soccer League next season. Three other teams, Sheasham, Hwange FC and Green Fuels, were promoted.