Bikita Minerals FC was formed in 2015
By Julius Manganda
While a mining team Ngezi Platinum FC has clinged the Premier Soccer League title for the 2023 season, another mining team, Bikita Minerals has come up tops in the Eastern Region Division 1 Championship.
Bikita Minerals FC, owned by Sinomine Bikita Minerals Pvt Ltd, a lithium mining company based in Bikita will therefore be playing Premier League football next season.
In the Northern region, Chegutu Pirates emerged the winner while Arenel and TelOne topped the Southern and Central regions respectively.
The Bikita based side cruised to the top in a tightly contested league that had FC Wangu Mazodze and Tenax who had a brilliant season, only to slip in the final stages of the League.
Tenax, which finished top was dislodged by Bikita Minerals who was awarded three points after winning their case against Grayham, who fielded an ineligible player.
Bikita Minerals FC, also known as the Lithium Boys was formed in 2015 and played in Division Two, up to 2017 when they gained promotion into the Eastern Region Division One.
Six years later, the team has qualified for top flight football and will be fighting against the country’s top teams in the PSL.
Over the years, mines dotted around the country have produced soccer teams that have contributed to the growth of the football sector.
Some of the great football teams to emerge from mines in Zimbabwe include How Mine, Hwange FC, Shabanie Mine, FC Platinum, Ngezi Platinum, Manica Diamonds, Effel Flats, among others.
