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Blessing Rwizi Mutare Bureau
MUTARE Sports Club’s spirited performance in the 2017 Intercity League have won the hearts and minds of many fans in this city and the number of supporters coming to watch their games has been increasing.
From being the league’s punching bags, unable to win even a single match last season to a competitive outfit that has so far won seven of the nine matches they have played in the current season, their Cinderella story has charmed many fans.
One of the key players, Tatenda Maunga, said their performance had boosted morale on the terraces.
“In last weekend’s match against Old Hararians at Mutare Sports Club, we enjoyed great support from rugby fans around the eastern border city and they seem to have been convinced that Mutare has a lot of untapped talent in the game,” he said.
The Shumbas’ first defeat was against Harare Sports Club in Harare again before they suffered another defeat at the hands of pacesetters Old Georgians (OG) in the capital. They beat Old Hararians in Mutare during last weekend’s round of league matches.
The 22-12 win impressed coach Mckenzie Munetsi.
Captain Gideon “Chief’’ Muyambo believes the defeat to OG was important for his team to go on a soul-searching period.
“Everyone in camp is excited with our performance this season. We are doing quite well and we have so far won seven of the nine matches that we have played.
“We lost two (games) against OGs and Harare Sports Club. We had those two matches in Harare and our challenge was that we could not travel with as many players as possible due to a number of reasons.
“We also lacked support in Harare and that was one of our greatest disadvantages that contributed immensely to the defeats we suffered.
“Now that we were using our home ground against Old Hararians, this was a chance to get back to our winning trend after the defeat against OGs in Harare.
“This was really a massive comeback,” he said.
The Intercity League has 11 teams that include the Shumbas, Harare Sports Club, Gweru Sports Club, Old Miltonians, Old Hararians, Old Georgians, Old Johannians, Highlanders, Matabeleland Warriors, Police Defenders and Police Bulldogs.
Online Reporter