daniel chigunwe
Innocent Kurira
Sports Reporter
MANICA Diamonds chairman Masimba Chihowa believes the final 2023 Castle Lager Premier Soccer League table could have looked differently, had they managed to play their home games in Mutare.
Although they managed to finish as runners-up, it was not an easy campaign for the Gem Boys. They played all their matches away from home for the entire season.
This was due to the unavailability of Sakubva Stadium which was not homologated for the 2023 season.
The Mutare-based side used Gibbo Stadium in Triangle as their home ground, which is about 400 kilometres away.
For their away games, they endured longer distances.
It is quite remarkable how the team dealt with fatigue the entire season, to finish respectably at second position.
Despite the challenge, Chihowa is happy the team managed to finish in second position.
“We are happy with the support that we have given to the team. That support has yielded positive results. We travelled for almost 34 games playing away from home. What we have here as players is a group of fighters. Had we played our home matches at our base, the story would have been different,” said Chihowa.
Looking into next season, he hopes Sakubva Stadium will be ready for use.
“Playing at home has its own pressures and we really have to guard against such when we play at home. It will be an advantage for us because of issues like fatigue which affected us this season. We pray for a successful 2024 season playing our games at home. At Sakubva, they have finished the turf side. They are only left with a few areas to polish up but we are certain that between January 10 to 15 the stadium will be ready.”
Sakubva Stadium was condemned for its bumpy turf and substandard goalposts which were a risk to players.
Renovations are underway at the stadium according to the owners of the facility, the City of Mutare. The facelift is going to restore Sakubva Stadium to approved standards.
Some of the areas that already have been worked on include laying of new turf and fixing of the drainage system.
Online Reporter