Online Reporter
George Maponga
Masvingo Bureau
IN the spirit of “leaving no one and no place behind”, President Mnangagwa recently donated US$150 000 cash, a team bus and two motor vehicles in a sponsorship package for Masvingo United FC for the 2026 footballing season.
Masvingo United FC, affectionately known as “Yuna Yuna” by its legion of supporters in Masvingo, has been battling funding challenges in the ZIFA Eastern Region Division One League, where the team plays after its relegation from the Premier Soccer League several years ago.
Efforts by Yuna Yuna to return to the Premiership were being held back by a lack of sponsorship, to the dismay of thousands of its soccer-crazy supporters in Masvingo.
Senior political leaders from the ruling party, Zanu PF, in Masvingo, namely Minister for State Security and Politburo member Cde Lovemore Matuke, Masvingo Provincial Affairs and Devolution Minister Ezra Chadzamira and Zanu PF Deputy Secretary for Youth in the Politburo Cde John Paradza, managed to secure sponsorship for Yuna Yuna for this season from the President.
President Mnangagwa is a passionate football supporter.
“We managed to secure US$150 000 sponsorship for Masvingo United FC from President Mnangagwa and also a team bus and two motor vehicles after we approached the Head of State and Government for assistance to alleviate funding challenges that were choking the city’s most followed football franchise,” said Minister Chadzamira.
“The President is a listening President who is guided by his mantra of ‘leaving no one and no place behind’ and agreed to support Masvingo United FC. We are very happy with the gesture made by the President, which also dovetails with Vision 2030.”
According to Minister Chadzamira, the Presidential sponsorship package for Masvingo United will help the province’s fight against drug and substance abuse, as many young people will be occupied by the restoration of sporting activities in the ancient city.
Hopes are high that after the sponsorship by the President, Masvingo United FC will reclaim its yesteryear glory when it was a force to reckon with in the local premier soccer league.
Masvingo United was a dominant force in local football when the team used to be oiled by sponsorship from the late prominent businessman Mr Tanda Tavaruva.
