Online Reporter
Ray Bande
Senior Reporter
MUTARE’S Castle Lager Premiership side, Manica Diamonds, is facing unprecedented turmoil after its new owners, Africa Minerals Ventures (AMV), made a shocking request: the complete disbandment of the senior team and the formation of an entirely new squad mid-season.
This drastic move follows Thursday’s industrial action by players, who downed tools over unpaid salaries and allowances stretching back more than four months.
Under league regulations, however, clubs are only permitted to register a maximum of five players during the official transfer window.
Outside of that period, no additions can be made — making AMV’s proposal virtually impossible under the current rules.
As a result, the struggling Premiership outfit now faces the grim prospect of failing to fulfill their fixture against Hardrock FC at GreenFuel Arena in Chisumbanje tomorrow (Saturday).
In a bid to salvage the situation, AMV has formally written to ZIFA and the Premier Soccer League seeking approval to promote the club’s junior team and merge it with their existing Division One side.
Reads the letter: “We write to formally request the disbandment of the senior team of Manica Diamonds FC following recent developments that have made it impossible for us to continue supporting the current first-team structure.
“As you may be aware, the senior players had initially refused to train due to outstanding salaries and signing-on fees owed by the previous owners.
“However, upon entering into an agreement last week to assume control of the club, we acted immediately and in good faith by paying all the players and members of the technical team a salary advance while awaiting the finalisation of the club transfer process.”
Ironically, the latest development comes at a time when the club’s new owners had made significant strides to have Sakubva Stadium homologated.
In their letter requesting the disbandment of the team, AMV expressed bitterness over unappreciated efforts they purportedly carried out to ensure that the team runs professionally.
“In addition to this financial commitment, we moved swiftly to create a professional and competitive environment for the team by undertaking the following:
“For the first time this season, we placed the players in a full residential camp. Procured a complete new club kit package consisting of: Home strip; Away strip; Alternative strip; (sic) Four training kits; Two sets of travelling attire; Two sets of tracksuits; Purchased gym equipment after assessing the poor physical condition of the squad.
“Secured five club houses for players and coaches to establish a high-performance environment designed to improve discipline, nutrition, recovery, and overall professionalism.
“Invested significant financial resources into the renovation of Sakubva Stadium to meet Premier Soccer League standards and strengthen community support for the team. All the above in 1 week.
“Communicated our commitment, upon finalisation of the sale agreement, to: Introduce a winning bonus of US$150 per match; Gradually settle inherited outstanding obligations at a rate of US$2 000 per month.
“Despite these substantial interventions and commitments, the senior players responded negatively and subsequently refused to train while the transfer process was still being concluded.
“This conduct has demonstrated a breakdown in trust and lack of professional commitment from the current senior team, making it untenable for us to continue investing significant resources into a structure that is unwilling to cooperate with the new vision for the club.
“In light of these circumstances, we respectfully request that the senior team of Manica Diamonds FC be disbanded, and that approval be granted for the club’s junior team to be promoted and integrated with our existing Division One side to form a new competitive structure that aligns with our long-term development objectives.
“We remain committed to football development and to building a sustainable and professional club model that will positively contribute to Zimbabwean football,” reads the letter attributed to the chairman.
