SHABANIE Mine Football Club got a timely boost when they received a kit donation over the weekend in preparations for the 2012 Castle Lager Premiership season, which gets underway this weekend.

Shabanie have a tough opening home game against CAPS United.

The donation included a maroon home kit and an away blue and white strip.

Also donated were football boots and trainers for all the players and technical staff.

“We are proud of the donation from one of our fans, a businessman who has been coming to our rescue in times of need,” club chairman, Webster Chitono, said.

The businessman refused to have his name published as he said he wanted to remain anonymous for the moment. The club also said it was now ready for the challenge that lies ahead of them in the Premiership after they would up their preparations with a friendly match against Tripple B at Maglas Stadium.

“I am now fully prepared for the league and I might spring up one or two surprises this season,” said Shabanie coach, Luke Masomere.

“The truth is we will not be fighting relegation this season but we are likely to end up on top of some of the teams that were on top of us last season.”

Shabanie survived relegation on the final day of the season last year with Masomere’s men beating Highlanders at Maglas to ensure survival.

The club also finalised a deal with former FC Platinum goalkeeper Muranganwa Nengomasha.

The big goalkeeper, who is Tinashe Nengomasha’s cousin, was last in action against Dynamos last season when he let in two goals and was never used again.

He is now set to revive his career at Shabanie together with Francis Kanda, Raymond Sibanda and Nelson Mazivisa who were offloaded by FC Platinum.

Shabanie also managed to lure Eria Phiri and Simon Choenda from Blue Ribbon with Pervington Zimunya coming in from Masvingo United.

The club lost the services of midfielder Tawanda Mareya to Hwange.

Defender John Kapenya also packed his bags and went back to the coalminers, leaving Shabanie with four slots to fill after they did not renew the contracts of striker Junius Chizororo, Elasto Bakacheza, David Matsveru and Michael Mageja who had a fall-out with Masomere.

Matsveru and Mageja are now training with league debutantes Hardbody. Shabanie also lost the services of Jonathan Chitereki to Motor Action and the duo of Rowan Nenzou and Simon Shoko to neighbours FC Platinum.