Online Reporter
Ray Bande
Senior Reporter
SAKUBVA Stadium will host its first top-flight league match of the 2026 season when Manica Diamonds, now operating under new ownership, welcome Agama FC in a Castle Lager Premiership Matchday 10 fixture.
The club recently changed hands, but the familiar pattern continued when they suffered a 0–2 defeat to an equally struggling Triangle United away at Gibbo Stadium in Triangle. Post Sport understands that Manica Diamonds had planned to host second-placed Hardrock FC this weekend at Sakubva Stadium, but owing to delays in minor refurbishments, they will instead host the Kwekwe-based outfit at the GreenFuel Arena in Chisumbanje.
After that game, the Mutare side faces Ngezi Platinum away before hosting Agama FC at Sakubva Stadium.
Africa Mineral Ventures, a corporate entity with a strong footprint in the mining sector, recently acquired the Manica Diamonds franchise, and the club will retain its name for the remainder of the 2026 season, with any identity change planned for next season. Changes to the club’s technical and executive departments have already been made, with chairman, Masimba Chihowa, secretary general, Sugar Chagonda and team manager, Ticharambana Zikai – all stepping down. Former head coach, Tafadzwa Mashiri, who sat on the bench during the away match against Triangle alongside new head coach, Clifton Kadurira, has ostensibly been let go, while his assistants have been reassigned to Manica Diamonds Juniors.
The new executive committee is yet to be officially announced.
Be that as it may, Manica Diamonds are yet to secure their first win, with a single point from a 1–1 draw against Chicken Inn all the struggling side has to show after eight league matches.
ZIFA Eastern Region chairman, Wisdom Simba told Post Sport that efforts to see Manica Diamonds play their home matches at Sakubva Stadium are at an advanced stage after receiving a letter of approval from Mutare City Council Town Clerk, Blessing Chafesuka on Monday.
“I am happy that I finally had a meeting with the Town Clerk and it was fruitful. I received a letter of approval outlining the items that must be completed before the facility can host matches. From what I have seen, the stadium could be approved any time this week so that it can host matches next weekend,” said Simba.
Asked why his office did not show the same enthusiasm when Manica Diamonds, under the previous ownership, were travelling to play at the GreenFuel Arena in Chisumbanje or at Triangle’s Gibbo Stadium, Simba said: “I was approached to assist. As regional chairperson, I had to help prevent the team from being sold or moved to another region, which will affect our representation at national level. So I heeded their call and made it a point that football returns to the city. It was not possible to show the same support to the former owners as I was never approached.”
In a separate interview, Mutare mayor, Simon Chabuka, told this newspaper that the local authority responded to a formal request, which it had not received from the previous Manica Diamonds owners.
“As long as anyone has made a request, we have no qualms in finding a solution. But once we start our renovations, everyone will have to vacate the facility to allow us time and space to carry out the work. I am yet to be appraised of the latest development, but Mutare City Council has no objection to anyone using the facility. The former owners of Manica Diamonds did not come to us. I did not see anything in writing making a formal request. We are not doing anyone a favour – this is simply procedure,” said Chabuka.
