adminSikhumbuzo Moyo Senior Sports Reporter
HIGHLANDERS’ winger Masimba Mambare has declared his undying commitment to the club and will stay at the Bulawayo giants if his contract is renewed at the end of the season. The 2012 Castle Lager Soccer Star of the Year runner-up pleaded with the club’s fans to give him time to rediscover his form, admitting that he has not scaled the dizzy heights of last season.
Mambare, a 2012 acquisition from Motor Action, said it was unfortunate that a section of the Bosso fans seemed to have turned against him but he would work hard to regain their love and affection starting with the Mbada Diamonds Cup final on Saturday.
He told Chronicle: “It’s really so sad my brother that people who have been so supportive of me are now turning against me like this.”
“Being booed is part of the work hazard which I appreciate but to be called names over issues that have nothing to do with football is really sad”.
Mambare, who was in the company of his manager Dumisani Mabhena, quashed speculation linking him to Bosso’s bitter rivals Dynamos and reaffirmed his loyalty to Highlanders.
“For the record no other club has approached me, all these reports about me joining Dynamos are false, get it from me. When I left Motor Action, I approached my employers first and told them of my desire to move on, why should I do it behind their backs?” he asked rhetorically.
“It’s going to be the same with Highlanders in the unlikely event that I decide to move but at the moment I am a Highlanders player through and through and committed to giving our loyal fans a Christmas present by winning the final on Saturday,” said Mambare.
Claims that he no longer wants to don the black and white jersey seem to have been heightened by his WhatsApp and Facebook accounts catch phrases.
His WhatsApp phrase is ‘Before I Leave……..’ while on his FaceBook account it was written ‘Former Highlanders FC player 2012.’
But Mambare said the WhatsApp catch phrase was put there by his wife and those close to him will know what it means.
“I am a reggae fan and that phrase is a love song which we normally listen to with my wife, it has nothing to do with football. It’s just unfortunate that I went off form and some people related that to the phrase, ask my close friends or even anyone who follows reggae music and they will tell you,” he said.
On his Facebook account, Mambare said he last opened his account more than a year ago and to his understanding a status can change on its own if the user stays for that long without opening his account.
Some experts corroborated his claims that the status can change.
“I joined Highlanders in 2012 hence my status was Highlanders FC player 2012. It had to change to former because it had been a year since I opened it,” said Mambare.
Asked about his future at Highlanders, the player revealed that no one from the club (Highlanders) had approached him on contract extension but it was not him alone with the club probably going to open negotiations soon after the Mbada Diamonds Cup final.
“I am more than willing to extend my contract with the club but that depends on whether the club wants me or not”, said Mambare.
Meanwhile, the player also posted his response on his Facebook account;
“It’s been a long time since I last wrote on my wall but I jus felt this time it’s worth every second I’m going to take just to clear some air here. I would like to extend my sincere apologies for the unfortunate news that is moving around the circles on all social networks. I am not doing this to hide my poor show this season but I want you to know the truth, I am a Bosso player and I am committed to every
Highlanders’ cause. For record’s sake, this team gave me a life in football, it gave me dignity and respect, moreover it gave me a family and only God knows how I deeply appreciate all this. I never minded the booing and whistling the fans made on me for I know that is what comes with my job, all I ever wanted is to make a team that gave me a life proud, give my fans what they ever wanted a league cup. It’s unfortunate we missed one but we have another to fight for, I wouldn’t betray such a big family as if they mean nothing to me I will be lying to myself.”
In another development, some Highlanders fans yesterday opened a Facebook page, Masimba Mambare 4 Bosso, No to Tribalism.
The page is meant to drum up support for the national team player ahead of the crucial Mbada Diamonds Cup final against How Mine at Barbourfield on Saturday.
Online Reporter