Online Reporter
Onward Gangata, [email protected]
FORMER Caps United defender Spencer Masunda has opened up about the harsh realities many local footballers face when clubs fail to pay salaries, saying the struggle to survive often forces players away from the game they love.
Masunda, now turning out for Chilli FC in the Zifa Midlands Division 2B League, believes he still has what it takes to compete at the highest level despite finding himself outside the Premier Soccer League spotlight.
The talented left-back rose to prominence with Nichrut before later featuring for Caps United and Harare City in the top flight. However, after his contract with Harare City expired in 2023, Masunda gradually disappeared from mainstream football.
In 2024, he attempted to revive his career at Central Region Soccer League side Chapungu, but the move did not work out after only a few appearances.
Now aged 30, Masunda appears to have found stability at ambitious Gweru-based side Chilli FC and says he has no problem playing in the country’s third tier as long as he is treated professionally.
Over the years, some football followers have labelled him a player who prioritises money and moves from club to club whenever payments stop coming.
But Masunda insists that perception is unfair and fails to reflect the difficult reality many Zimbabwean footballers face behind the scenes.
“It is not true that i am not serious about football and I’m all for the money. I am a family man and football is my profession, so when we do not get paid as footballers most of the time you have to find other means to survive.
“By so doing, the side hustle takes you out of football but the honest truth is everyone wants to survive. As a father I have to do all I can to make sure my children go to school and eat every day. Those are things people do not understand they label us as not serious and after money when in fact we are honestly trying to survive.”
Masunda said he remains fully committed to helping Chilli FC achieve its goals this season.
“I’m here playing in the second division, they are taking good care of us and I have no problem, I am giving my all as a senior player to make sure we get promoted to division one and the premiership.”
Chilli FC is coached by former FC Victoria and TelOne player and performance analyst Ronald Mazivofa.
The club has made an impressive start to the season and currently sits at the top of the table with 25 points from nine matches, attracting growing support in Gweru.
Chilli FC has also assembled a squad filled with experienced former Premiership players, including Blessed Mbavarira, Michael Sibanda, Tatenda Mapiye and McDonald Mavuto.
Former Chapungu, Caps United and Warriors goalkeeper Edmore “Zikeeper” Sibanda is part of the technical set-up as the club’s goalkeepers coach.
“We can only do our part and God decides the rest,” said Mazivofa on his team’s chances of promotion into the Central Region.
