City Rovers sign 18

Ray Bande Senior Reporter
AFTER official confirmation that they will be part of the Castle Lager Premiership, Mutare City Rovers are continuing with their preparations ahead of the season and have since signed 18 players, leaving 12 slots for other additions. Anxiety was slowly creeping in among City Rovers faithfuls as the club appeared lethargic on the market, while other serious Premiership clubs were finalising on their list of 30 players ahead of the 2016 season.

However, the latest development certainly restores confidence among their legion of fans who might also appreciate the inclusion of players born and bred in Mutare. Rovers’ preparations got a major morale booster when they laboured to a 2-1 triumph over David Mandigora’s Triangle at Gibo Stadium away in Chiredzi last Saturday.

Former Highway FC and FC Platinum striker, Stephen ‘Dealer’ Sibanda and former Gutu FC player, Shelton Gurure were on target for Mutare City Rovers. Magusha, as City Rovers are fondly referred to by their fans, have opted for talent ahead of big names, with a number of promising youngsters set to make their Premiership debut with the Kenny Kachara coached side.

18 players that include former Hwahwa FC and CAPS United shot stopper Phillip Nhete, former Dongo Sawmills utility player, Last Jesi, Elvis Meleka’s younger brother, Manuel, who was with Mutoko Pirate, diminutive defence lynchpin, Patrick Alfasi and former Buffaloes forward, Kastigu Zhuwakinyu among others.

Mutare City Rovers gaffer, Kennedy Kachara confirmed that the club had signed 18 players and would soon fill in the remaining 12 slots after thorough assessment of the strengths and weaknesses of what they already have so far.

“We are going ahead with our preparations and we are happy that things are going on well. We have since signed 18 players and we have deliberately left some slot for other players we still think can join us.

“The good thing is that one can see that our preparations are taking shape and I believe we have a team that can compete in the top-flight league. “We are not going to have any friendly matches this weekend unless something comes up late in the week. We only want to urge our fans to expect entertaining football at Sakubva. We want to restore the good old days of exciting football at Sakubva,” said Kachara in an interview on Wednesday.

Refreshingly for Magusha, confirmation of their participation in the top-flight league, though delayed by Masvingo United’s unsporting behaviour, has come at a time they are still preparing hence the club still has a bit of time to fine tune their squad well before the season has kicked off.

Their club was even represented at the PSL induction workshop held in the capital this week.

List of 18:
Phillip Nhete; Collins Muzawazi; Emanuel Sinaputa; Patrick Alfasi; Debby Duri; Manuel Meleka; Last Jesi; Sam Msimbu; Stephen Sibanda; Shelton Gurure; Takunda Vengesai; Anelka Chiwandire; Renias Machaure; Honest Muzhara; Elisha Chimhaka; Kastigu Zhuwakinyu; Malvern Moyo and Lee Sako.