By Zim Sport Live Writer
Zimbabwe international Tendayi Darikwa was overcome with emotion after captaining Lincoln City to a historic promotion to the Championship following a memorable victory in Reading.
The 34-year-old defender made history as the first Lincoln City captain in more than 70 years to lead the club out of the third tier, capping off a remarkable and unexpected season for the Imps.
Speaking after the match, an emotional Darikwa struggled to contain his pride.
“I wear the badge with pride. I wear the armband with pride. It’s hard to put into words, but I’m just so happy.”
Lincoln City’s promotion has been one of the standout stories of the season, with few tipping them for success at the start of the campaign. Darikwa admitted that the team used that doubt as motivation.
“Nobody probably gave us a chance at the start of the season, and the longer the season has gone on, the more that has driven us as a group. We’ve probably felt a little bit disrespected at times… but to get Lincoln City into the Championship after so long, it’s a special day.”
Despite sealing promotion, Darikwa says the team is not done yet, with their sights now firmly set on finishing as champions.
“We want to go up as champions, that’s the next target — now we move on to that.”
For the experienced Zimbabwean, the achievement carries even greater meaning at this stage of his career.
“I’m 34 now, and I don’t know how many more I’ve got left in me, so the older I get, the more special these moments are. To do it for the supporters and the whole football club, it’s special.”
There were emotional scenes both on and off the pitch, with fans celebrating a long-awaited return to the second tier after decades away. Darikwa admitted the occasion nearly brought him to tears.
“I’m welling up myself… when you do it in front of supporters like that, who’ve been waiting so long, it means everything.”
The achievement marks another proud moment for Zimbabwean football, with Darikwa playing a key leadership role in one of the most remarkable promotion stories in recent English football history.
With promotion secured, Lincoln City now turn their attention to sealing the title, aiming to crown a historic campaign with silverware.