Online Reporter
Ray Bande
Senior Reporter
THE Zimbabwe Consolidated Diamond Company (ZCDC), long-time sponsor of Manica Diamonds FC, has withdrawn its financial support for the Premier Soccer League outfit, citing liquidity challenges.
The move effectively ends the company’s community social responsibility project tied to the club.
Post Sport revealed on Wednesday night that Africa Minerals Ventures has acquired the Manica Diamonds franchise.
While the finer details of the deal remain under wraps, sources confirmed that the transaction is complete, with money exchanged and contracts signed.
Although ZCDC chief executive, Douglas Zimbango and Africa Minerals Ventures FC chief executive, Nyasha Kadenge were unavailable for comment, insiders disclosed that a handover-takeover meeting was held at ZCDC’s Harare head office on Thursday.
Indications are that Africa Minerals Ventures will today (Friday) be formally introduced to the players and technical team in Mutare, as the new sponsor assumes control of the troubled top-flight side.
A member of the Manica Diamonds FC executive, who refused to be named citing protocol, said: “This is something that was being negotiated all along and it has come to fruition. There was no way that ZCDC would continue holding onto the project with the financial challenges that the company is currently going through. Workers at the mine have not been getting their salaries and when such things happen, such projects are the first to be disbanded. I think this is for the good of the team, and we hope that the new owners will keep football alive in Mutare and Manicaland at large.”
Investigations by Post Sport have revealed that Manica Diamonds will continue operating under their current name until the close of the season.
Wholesome changes — including a rebrand — are expected ahead of the 2027 campaign.
Africa Minerals Ventures has already assumed control of the club’s affairs. Following their Division One fixture against GreenFuel tomorrow (Saturday) at the GreenFuel Arena in Chisumbanje, the new owners and their supporters are set to travel to Triangle for the Premiership clash between Manica Diamonds and Triangle.
For now, the club’s immediate challenge is survival.
Rooted at the bottom of the Castle Lager Premiership standings, Manica Diamonds have failed to collect a single point in six matches and have scored just once.
Financial woes had left morale at rock bottom, with players reportedly going unpaid and some even evicted from their lodgings.
The arrival of Africa Minerals Ventures is expected to lift spirits and potentially spark a turnaround.
Crucially, fans and analysts alike are anticipating reinforcements when the transfer window opens.
With the team having started the season on a shoestring budget and a low-cost squad, new signings could prove vital in the fight against relegation.
