Online Reporter
Ray Bande
Senior Reporter
EVEN before kicking a ball in the Pacific Storm Eastern Region Division One League, debutants, Africa Mineral Venture (AMV), have set the pace by signing three popular fans to ignite the atmosphere that has been missing in the terraces for years in the regional second‑tier league.
Malvin ‘Chibaba CheScottland’ Makarawu, Jerry Dore and Simbarashe ‘Mbape’ Makono, cheerleaders who put pen to paper for AMV, are easily recognisable figures who need no introduction in football stadia in Mutare and even in Harare.
The development makes the Rusape‑based newcomers the first ever football team in the entire Eastern Region – Manicaland, Mashonaland East and Masvingo – to reward outstanding fans for their loyalty to their brand.
Given their strong squad, made up of veteran players — most of whom have previously turned out for various Premiership teams, such as Devon Chafa and Liberty Chakoroma — coupled with the latest signing of popular supporters, it appears that AMV means business.
Makarawu said: “We are happy to have a team like AMV that recognises the value of what we do at match venues. This inspires us to help the team achieve its goals. From what we have seen on the ground, Rusape will never be the same again in terms of football atmosphere. AMV is the team. Everyone is anxiously waiting for the start of the season so that football entertainment spreads across the town of Rusape.”
Dore said: “Rusape as a town has a rich history of football and several stars have been produced from that town. It is against this background that I think AMV did the right thing in placing their team in Rusape at a time when the town did not have a serious football side.”
Makono said: “We will make sure that the boys on the field of play feel the support from the terraces so that they deliver good results for AMV. This is a team for Rusape and it deserves every football‑loving resident’s support. We will walk this journey together.”
