adminThe team’s swift return to the unfashionable Division One league was confirmed on Saturday when they succumbed to a 2-0 loss.
Ironically, the team was starting to enjoy a new lease of life after they found a sponsor, and this was complemented by landmark victories against the three big teams in the Premier League.
The team’s fans had no kind words for the Masvingo gaffer, Ralph Kawondera, who had, however, introduced a unique blend of football into the team.
They argued that the coach was concentrating on beating big teams yet he donated points to minnows.
“Ralph is a good coach but his approach was bad and ill-advised. He had developed Masvingo into a bogey side for big teams like DeMbare, Bosso and Caps United.
“Beating Dynamos and Highlanders earned us three points from each game. There are no extra credits given to a team for defeating the so-called powerhouses of football. He should have continued with his winning streak through and through and our survival was going to be obvious,” said Prosper Dendere, a staunch supporter of Masvingo United.
Blatina Berejena was at pains when he learnt of her favourite team’s relegation and urged the Masvingo community to provide the necessary support to the team for it to return to the PSL within a year.
“I can’t stomach the fact that my team has been relegated. The community of Masvingo should help the team bring back premiership football within a season.
“The problem that the team had was to do with sponsorship, so it is against this background that we appeal to the corporate world to mobilise resources towards supporting the team,” said Berejena, a sales executive.
Elizabeth Tonhorai also added his frustration on Masvingo’s ouster when she cited the changing of coaches as the main reason behind the team’s fall.
“I think Masvingo was over reactive, especially on coaches. How could they fire three coaches in a year and hope to remain in the league. We had seen it coming that the executive was confused because they were changing coaches like a mother changing her child’s nappies.
“Luke Masomere is a good coach and if he had remained, the team could have survived relegation,” said Tonhorai.
Luke “Vahombe” Masomere managed to live up to his promise that Shabanie Mine FC was not going back to Division One. He helped his side beat Highlanders 2-0 in Zvishavane on the same day Masvingo kissed goodbye to Premier league football.
Masomere reportedly left in a huff after it was alleged the team was not paying him and he and his players could go for months without being paid their dues.
Online Reporter