Online Reporter
Ray Bande
Senior Reporter
FORMER Buffaloes FC player and coach Shadreck ‘Father’ Mugurasave has opened up on his dramatic fallout with new Rusape Eastern Region Division One side African Mineral Ventures (AMV) FC, saying the club was never serious about hiring him, but only wanted to use a few Manicaland-born faces to endear themselves with the fanbase.
Mugurasave did not mince his words in regretting the toxic relationship between him and club chief executive officer Nyasha Kadenge from the first day, and strongly believes she never really wanted him to be part of the club set-up.
AMV made their surprise arrival in the Eastern Region Division One recently, amid chaotic scenes relating to their technical set-up, where Mugurasave reportedly served only for 11 days as head coach.
The surprise addition of AMV in the region and revelations of chaotic fallout with Mugurasave evoke long-held hypotheses that the Eastern Region is being manipulated as a gateway to the Premiership by some clubs that lack the intention to give a platform to local talent, buy relocating elsewhere upon gaining promotion.
In an interview with Post Sport, Mugurasave narrated how their ill-fated marriage started until the toxic fallout.
“I wrote a letter on January 12, 2026 when AFCON was underway. I did not look for this job. I was head-hunted. I did not even apply for that job. I talked to one of their officials on WhatsApp. After four days, a lady called Nyasha Kadenge made an appointment with me, and they came down to Mutare for a meeting. She was in the company of the team owner. They asked for names of people that I wanted included in the technical team, and I gave them everything, including fitness trainer, goalkeepers’ coach, assistant coaches and team manager,” he said, further claiming that unknown to him, his exit plan had already been drafted well before he was even engaged.
“We agreed on the above. All of a sudden, the next day, they phoned advising me that they were roping in one of the assistant coaches of their choice. They also advised me to stop looking for a fitness trainer, as David Kutyauripo was coming in doubling as the fitness trainer and second assistant coach.
“I agreed because I have been in talking terms with Kutyauripo. They called for another meeting with all technical staff members. When we went there, Kadenge came out clearly to me saying they are placing their own coaches in the technical department because when I am eventually relieved of my duties they would like one of the coaches to carry on. To me, it meant I would be working with someone eyeing my position, and possibly working against me. I did not sign any contract because I had aired some concerns that had not been addressed.
“I was then told by one of the officials that Clifton Kadurira will be coming in as one of the assistant coaches. Meanwhile, Kadenge insisted that they were imposing their preferred coaches in the technical department so that when the time comes to fire me comes there will be continuity,” said Mugurasave, adding that there were times that his credentials were even questioned, something that left him doubting the club’s sincerity.
“There was a time that my credentials were questioned. At one point one official questioned why the club should have a head coach with a CAF B Licence and an assistant with CAF A. I was also told I was not actively involved in football matters for the past two years. I had to explain to them that I had a football project that I was assisting over the last two years,” he said.
The former Buffaloes coach said AMV must have had a project in place, but only wanted to spice their image with a few faces born and raised in Manicaland, and Rusape in particular.
“I was then surprised to learn that when I joined, the club already had 19 players that I did not know about as head coach. This was a big surprise to me. There were players that were then signed without my knowledge and I would just hear about it through the grapevine. I felt I should walk away from the club because I felt unwanted, and my observation was that they only wanted to use me. I also feel that lady (Kadenge) never wanted me in the team set-up. Maybe, she already had her plans, which did not include me. It then appeared to me that was why she kept on postponing the signing of my contract. She would keep on saying remind me later about the contract, but that never happened regardless of repeated reminders. I think there is need for transparency in football administration, not the kind of unnecessary traps I encountered at AMV,” he said.
While lamenting the conduct of some football administrators, the Rusape-born gaffer said he wished the club well.
“This is the reason sponsors are shying away from football, because some of the administrators cannot really be open about how they are running the teams. One wonders whether they (administrators) do that as a way of trying to siphon resources for personal use. At the end of the day, I have nothing against that club. I have nothing against Kadurira. I actually wish them well because Rusape is my hometown and I am happy for Rusape now that they have a club in Division One, with prospects of promotion into the Premiership,” he said.
Contacted for comment, Kadenge said: “No comment”.
Kadenge, who previously served as Ngezi Platinum Stars chief executive officer (2018-2022), last week told the Post Sport that the decision to base the team in Rusape was influenced by its central location relative to the sponsor’s regional operations.
She also boldly declared the team’s intention to gain promotion to the Premier Soccer League this season.
“We are currently in the recruitment phase. Our final squad size will align with the registration requirements of the league. Players’ names will be communicated once contracts are finalised. The technical team will be formally unveiled in due course. We are not here to make up the numbers. Our clear objective is to compete seriously for promotion,” she said.
