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Ray Bande
Senior Reporter
ZIFA Eastern Region Division One side, Mutare City Rovers have gone back to the basics and assembled a team made up of relatively unknown, yet talented players for the 2021/22 season which kicks off next weekend.
The City of Mutare-bankrolled outfit was teetering on the brink of collapse during the lengthy Covid-19 lockdown after some councillors argued that it was not bringing any value to the organisation and should be disbanded.
Mutare City Rovers will open their account at home against Zaka Academy FC before facing JM Bosha 54 FC away.
Gusha Bhora, as they are fondly referred to by their fans largely drawn from the municipality police officers, were relegated twice from the Castle Lager Premier Soccer League at the end of the 2016 and 2018 seasons.
In the 20212/22 Eastern Region Division One season, Mutare City Rovers will be once again seeking to earn a place among the big boys of domestic football.
The Mutare side has roped in a number of new players that include Nomore Kanyemba , Sylvester Museka, Tadiwa Mambudzi, Abel Mabvura, Tristan Chabwana, Consider Chijeni, Tanyaradzwa Kaviya and Allan Zhanje.
Most of these players were recruited from local football lower divisions, with most of them coming from Hob House Predators and Chigodora FC.
They also have two players they lured from Masvingo.
Mutare City Rovers team manager, Lyndon Kanyemba said their objective was to regain their place in the top-flight league.
“Our major objective is to attain Premiership promotion. There is no doubt about that. I believe we have assembled a very strong team this time around that can challenge for the championship.
“We are fully aware that this is not an easy task. We have walked along this path before, and we know it is arduous, but we will stand the heat,” he said.
Kanyemba said the wisdom behind recruiting little known players was informed by the need to manage egos and ensure serenity in camp.
“I think we are all aware that in the past most clubs seeking promotion into the top-flight league would recruit big names that no longer fit in Premiership clubs. That has worked well for a number of clubs, but we thought of doing things differently.
“We recruited little known players because that will go a long way in helping us manage egos and ensure serenity in camp.
That is really important for a team that is aspiring to get promoted.
“After all, we have a lot of talent in lower leagues and outlying areas, but they are not being given a chance to shine while clubs keep on recycling old horses for the sake of fame,” said Kanyemba.
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