Online Reporter
Ray Bande
Zimpapers Sports Hub
THE return of top-fight action to Sakubva has been met with jubilation in Mutare ahead of Manica Diamonds’ first real home game of the 2026 Castle Lager Premier Soccer League season.
Manica Diamonds, now operating under new ownership, welcome Agama in a matchday 11 fixture.
The club recently changed hands in a tumultuous and drama-filled ownership transfer, but the familiar pattern on the field of play continues as they remain rooted at the basement of the table.
The Gem Boys had planned to host second-placed Hardrock a fortnight ago at Sakubva, but owing to delays in minor refurbishments and homologation processes, they instead hosted the Kwekwe-based outfit at the GreenFuel Arena in Chisumbanje.
After that match, the Mutare side faced Ngezi Platinum Stars away and lost by a solitary goal, and this weekend the Mutare outfit will make a sensational return to the eastern border city match venue hoping for a change of fortunes.
James Lunga Meya, a South Africa-based Mutare football benefactor who has assisted numerous clubs and players in Mutare materially as well as with opportunities south of the Limpopo, welcomed the return of the game in the eastern border town.
“Manica Diamonds’ return to Sakubva is a step in the right direction, especially in reconnecting with the community. However, it must be supported by serious investment in infrastructure safety and professionalism to ensure the stadium meets the demands of modern football.
“In fact, the return of Manica Diamonds to Sakubva is a powerful homecoming. Sakubva is the heart of Mutare football, and bringing the team back reconnects them with their supporters, their identity and their pride.
“This move will revive the atmosphere, unity and passion that defines the club,” said Meya.
Calvin Mapangisana, a staunch Manica Diamonds supporter, added: “This is what we have been yearning for. We are happy with the latest development. I hope and pray that football lovers in Mutare will play their part in paying to witness the matches for the benefit of the club.”
Cecilia Gambe, a veteran women’s football administrator, said: “We are very happy as a football family this is what we have been longing for. We had long awaited this; the team was lacking the 12th man. Also travelling so many kilometres away from home wasn’t good for both the players and community,’’ she said.
Be that as it may, Manica Diamonds are yet to secure their first win, with a single point from a 1-1 draw against Chicken Inn to show for their efforts.
ZIFA Eastern Region chairman Wisdom Simba said that efforts to see Manica Diamonds play their home matches at Sakubva have come into fruition after receiving a letter of approval from Mutare City Council Town Clerk Blessing Chafesuka on Monday.
“I am happy that I finally had a meeting with the Town Clerk and it was fruitful. I received a letter of approval outlining the items that must be completed before the facility can host matches.
“That has since been covered, and the stadium has been approved to host top-flight league matches,” said Simba.
Asked why his office did not show the same enthusiasm when Manica Diamonds, under the previous ownership, were travelling to play at the GreenFuel Arena in Chisumbanje or at Triangle’s Gibbo Stadium, Simba said: “I was approached to assist. As regional chairperson, I had to help prevent the team from being sold or moved to another region, which would have affected our representation at national level.
“So, I heeded their call and made it a point that football returns to the city. It was not possible to show the same support to the former owners as I was never approached.”
In a separate interview, Mutare mayor Simon Chabuka told this newspaper that the local authority responded to a formal request, which it had not received from the previous Manica Diamonds owners.
