Blanket Mine FC from Gwanda have secured promotion into the Castle Lager Premier Soccer League after holding Kwekwe United to a 1-1 draw in a top-of-the-table Central Region Soccer League clash at Baghdad Stadium in Kwekwe on Sunday.
The miners needed just a point to seal their historic promotion and duly delivered, opening an unassailable five-point lead over second-placed Kwekwe United with only one match remaining before the season concludes.
The achievement marks a major milestone for the Gwanda-based side, who were guided to promotion by coach Luke Petros Jukilile, who has a strong connection with Baghdad Stadium, where he previously made a name for himself.
Interestingly, it was Kwekwe-born forward Ishmael Meki who put the visitors ahead, while Kwekwe United fought back in the second half to level matters through Congolese import Tshipamba Babadi.
However, the equaliser could not prevent Blanket Mine from celebrating promotion to the country’s top-flight league, becoming the second team to secure a place in the 2027 Castle Lager Premier Soccer League after Hwange FC from Matebeleland North Province.
