adminRay Bande Senior Weekender Reporter
AFTER losing by a paltry two points in the race for Premiership promotion last season, Mutare City Rovers have now put almost everything in place and now seem geared to put their act together in their quest to reach the Promised Land.
While most clubs in the Eastern Region Division One League are struggling to pay their affiliation fees, let alone assemble a squad, Magusha, as Mutare City Rovers are adoringly referred to by their fans, have since paid affiliation fees as well as registered a total of 30 players.
The club is in the process of restructuring its executive.
In the past, City Rovers have been deterred from gaining promotion simply because of unnecessary bickering and confusion on and off the pitch.
Apart from having paid their affiliation fees and registering all their 30 players, the team has kept their faith in Kennedy “Bokande” Kachara as the head coach. He will be assisted by Taurai “Dana” Makukutu and Isaac “Zeka” Nengomasha
Club spokesperson Clayton “Bagio” Masekesa confirmed that they have since paid their affiliation fees and have registered their 30 players.
“We have managed to pay the affiliation fee for the 2015 season. We are happy that we have paid all the signing on fees for our 30 registered players with the majority of them on three-year contacts.
“We will be making public the club’s full executive soon as we are still looking for other quality, competent and dedicated people with sound leadership skills to be part of the executive that has the sole mandate of taking the team to the Premier Soccer League next season.
Masekesa added that the club has assembled a formidable outfit.
“Preparations for the team have gathered momentum. We have a mixed crop of players in the camp. We have managed to acquire experienced players from Buffaloes FC that we believe will guide the other new young players in the team.
“Morale is high at the training and we have players from within Mutare, Harare, Gutu, Gwanda and Bulawayo.
“We have been embarking on numerous friendly matches in and around the city as a way of trying different combinations and football styles. Now that the league is upon us, we hope that our coaches will assemble a strong team that will give us the desired results,” he added.
On the issue of Kachara’s reappointment, Masekesa said: “We have felt that we should give him another chance. He is the one who chose his assistants.”
He said the club had learnt a lot through past experiences in Division One.
“Yes, last season was good but it had touching moments for us as we missed the plane to premier league by just two points and we have learnt a lot.
“So this year, as the executive and players, we will try to do our corrections,” he said.
The Mutare City Rovers publicist told The Weekender that they are courting a potential sponsor who will be unveiled as soon as the deal is finalised.
He urged the Mutare business community to help the team in its battle to win Premiership promotion.
“The executive will try whole-heartedly to avail the necessary support and resources to make sure that our dream comes true. We are delighted that we will be having a partner very soon and we are now finalising talks with the partner.
“We are calling upon all business entities, businessmen and corporates to come forward and partner us during the course of this mission.
“We would like to thank the unwavering support from our diehard fans. They have been a very vital cog inasfar as boosting morale in the team is concerned.
“I am calling upon all the football lovers in Mutare and beyond to support us by attending our home and away matches.
“I am therefore calling upon everyone to come and join the ship that we hope will carry us to the still waters of football prosperity,” he said.
Online Reporter