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Noel Munzabwa, Sunday Life Correspondent
MAVERICK soccer coach, Luke Masomere has turned down overtures from MTN Premier League Swaziland giants, Mbabane Highlanders, an offer which could have seen him commence duty on Monday.
After close to a month of closely knitted negotiations between the two parties, the Zvishavane resident coach said though he is interested in bouncing back to the technical dugout, Mbabane Highlanders’ offer was not enticing.
“I would like to thank Mbabane Highlanders for developing an interest in hiring me but unfortunately the offer in terms of money did not match my expectations. To me moving to Swaziland would have meant an increased cost of living as there will be two homes to cater for, my family in Zimbabwe and my upkeep in Swaziland. It is my hope that they will accept my reasons.
“They negotiated in good faith and gave me an offer which they could afford and at some stage compromised on certain terms to try and accommodate my needs including offering to get me a job as a motor mechanic to supplement my salary demand. I would like to thank a young brother of mine based in Swaziland for recommending me and helping out with negotiations,” said Masomere.
Masomere has been on a sabbatical from the game since his involvement with Border Strikers last season and is now busy with exploration on mining claims allocated to him under the small-scale miners scheme.
A winner of the Premier Soccer League title in 2003 with AmaZulu, Masomere has travelled immensely across the country since his playing days at Masvingo United and Hwange FC where he started coaching.
As a Hwange U-19 coach, Masomere won the then Peter Ndlovu Lifebuoy Under-19 trophy with a squad that unearthed the protégé and 1997 Soccer Star of the Year Walter Chuma. He has also had stints in Botswana to complement a curriculum vitae that impressed Mbabane Highlanders director, Zweli Jele the moment he printed it out.
Relegated from the MTN Premier League of Swaziland last season then recalled via the expansion of the league from 12 to 14, Mbabane Highlanders are hard pressed to turn the corner to appease their followers. Boasting of the rich football success history largest following, the black and white ensemble affectionately known as Gwaza Nkunzi, have been a pale shadow of the once dominant soccer outfit in the country.
@NoelMunzabwa
Online Reporter