Manica Diamond has become the first team to gain promotion to the Castle Lager Premier Soccer League.

The Mutare-based club which is sponsored by the rich Consolidated Diamond Company of Zimbabwe needed a point going into the weekend’s match against Zero 11 to win the Eastern Region Division One League championship, but their opponents became defunct on Tuesday.

This means Manica will get three points on a technicality, something more than enough for them to get promoted.

Manica Diamond is coached by Luke Masomere who joined the side ahead of the 2018 season.