Chegutu Pirates woes rile Raiva

Ellina Mhlanga Sports Reporter
CHEGUTU Pirates coach Gipter Raiva is disappointed with the in-house fights at the club which is scuttling their battle for survival in the World Navi Northern Region Division One soccer league.
There is instability at the club with allegations that a supporters’ committee section led by Jorum Chiwewete is trying to topple the executive led by Lillian Mandeya.
Mandeya, who is the chairperson, is deputised by Musiiwa Dube.

However, there are reports that the supporters’ committee has been fighting the executive and the Pirates game against Starbill had to be postponed due to the boardroom battles.

The supporters’ committee claimed it was in charge of the team last week.
Raiva, who took over from Tavaka Gumbo three months into the season, was forced to abandon the team last Wednesday when he found Gumbo back at the team’s training session.

Raiva has not been with the team since then as he awaits the executive to resolve the squabbles.
“The problems started when we lost to Gunners. When we came back from that game there are some supporters who created their own committee to remove the executive,” said Raiva.

“They have even come up with a new set-up for Tavaka Gumbo to come back and it only came to light when I went to training on Wednesday and found him there.
“I had to go back home.

“Since then I have not been with the team and Gumbo also fired my assistant coach. But we are hoping to go back on Tuesday after they (the executive) resolve the issue.

“They are meeting on Monday because they were waiting for Mandeya who was away but she is coming back on Monday.
“The supporters’ committee is claiming to be in charge while the executive committee went to the council (who are the sponsors) and they were told that they are still in power.

“Even Zifa doesn’t agree with what the supporters are doing. They are people who just want to disturb the team,” said Raiva.
The Chegutu Pirates coach said the problems that keep on haunting the club have affected their plans for the team.

“Strategically, I have been disturbed and at one time I told Musiiwa that I want to leave but he said we should soldier on because results are becoming better.
“We have been disturbed so much but as a man I have to soldier on.

“Jorum Chiwewete is leading the supporters’ committee and they want people to come to the games for free. At the moment our players have not been getting their money and you want people to come in for free, it doesn’t work.

“Someone who is productive and has the team at heart wouldn’t say that. Our players have families to take care of,” said Raiva.
This is not the first time Chegutu have been rocked by problems as they were engaged in another fight with Gumbo, and a section of supporters that backed him, after he was fired for poor results in the first round of the league.