Online Reporter
Lovemore Kadzura
Sports Reporter
EUPHORIA has gripped Rusape as a newly formed football team, African Mineral Ventures, has set base in the town after acquiring the ZIFA Eastern Region Division One franchise, and declared its intention to win the regional championship in its formative year.
The team, which was formed this month is currently holding trials for players at Vengere Stadium after acquiring the franchise of Mashonaland East-based side, Rusununguko High School, and has roped in respected administrator, Nyasha Kadenge as it general secretary, responsible for running the club’s activities on a daily basis.
The team’s owner is being kept a secret, to avoid ‘unnecessary attention’ which the club feel may affect their transfer activities.
Post Sport, however, understands that the technical team conducting trials comprises of Shadreck Mugurasave, Clifton Kadurira, Prince Tafirenyika, Peter Masibera and local hero, Evans Chikwaikwai.
Some notable players spotted trying their luck include Collins Duhwa who was at Triangle last season, Pasca Manhanga, Liberty Chakoroma and Devon Chafa.
The team is also integrating young players from Rusununguko High School, which fits into the vision of the team.
Kadenge, who previously served as Ngezi Platinum Stars chief executive officer (2018-2022), head of finance at Singinda Gate FC in Tanzania, and vice president of Kwekwe United, said the decision to base the team in Rusape was influenced by its central location relative to the sponsor’s regional operations.
“African Mineral Ventures is sponsored by the entity from which it derives its name. Rusape was strategically selected because of its central location within the sponsor’s regional footprint. The town also presents a unique opportunity as it currently has no resident competitive football club, making it an ideal base for a new, structured football project. The club officially commenced its sporting operations on January 15, and is still in the early stages of community integration. However, we have deliberately embedded community representation within our leadership structure. Our chairperson (Godfrey Mufuranhewe) is a local community leader, ensuring strong grassroots engagement from the outset,” she said, adding that they are still in the process of identifying and signing players.
She boldly declared that they intend 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.
Eastern Region Soccer League administrator, Fungai Munyoro-Chingaira confirmed that African Mineral Ventures have joined the league after paying the required affiliation fee, and were happy that Rusape will have a representative in the league.
“Yes, we can confirm that there is a club called African Mineral Ventures FC which has joined the Pacific Storm Eastern Region Soccer League. The club is in partnership with Rusununguko Academy from Mashonaland East, a team that was promoted, and they will be competing under this arrangement.
“The arrival of a new club in Rusape, a town that had gone for some time without a team, is a positive development. It will help revive football in the area, create opportunities for local players, increase community interest, and strengthen competition within the league. This aligns with our goal of growing football across the region,” she said.
I thought Scottland had broken the record of recruiting geriatrics. I was wrong! What is this team doing? Soon they may try to get Moses Chunga and Size Torindo as players. Can we please force all D1 teams not to recruit ex-players please? D1 players must be 25 years old at most. That way our football will develop.