Online Reporter
Lovemore Kadzura
Sports Reporter
PUBLIC Service, Labour and Social Welfare Minister, Edgar Moyo, has bemoaned the collapse of Tongogara United Football Club, a team comprising refugees from Tongogara Refugee Settlement, saying it is demoralising at a time when Government is pushing to turn the settlement into a full-service centre.
Speaking on the sidelines of World Refugee Day at Tongogara Refugee Settlement in Chipinge, Moyo called on the business community to partner the team, and provide sponsorship so that it can return to the ZIFA Pacific Storm Eastern Region Division One League.
He added that players should be given a chance to display their potential and stand a chance to shine on the global stage, just like former refugees playing at the 2026 World Cup, including Alphonso Davies (Canada), Antonio Rüdiger (Germany), Eduardo Camavinga (France), Awer Mabil, Nestroy Irankunda and Mohamed, all playing for Australia.
“It is a big worry. I was not aware that due to funding problems the team operations’ collapsed. I want to appeal to the business community and other partners to come to the rescue of the team. It is important that recreation be afforded to this community. This team was already playing Division One Football. Some of the players featuring at the on-going World Cup are former refugees. I think we can do the same as Zimbabwe. This team has been doing so well, and it is demoralising to this community that this team is no longer playing. As Government, we have committed to provide services, and this settlement is now a service centre where we provide education, healthcare, sustainable livelihoods through agricultural projects,” said Moyo. ZIFA Eastern Region administrator, Fungayi Munyoro-Chingaira said the withdrawal of Tongogara United was a sad development for the league as the team comprised players from five countries – Burundi, Mozambique, Rwanda, DRC and Zimbabwe – which added flair to the league.
“We hope that next season they will able to find adequate funding and return to the league. The team did not collapse and their slot is reserved for next season. The team is dearly missed especially the electric atmosphere that was there when they played at home,” said Munyoro-Chingaira.
