Trust fund launched for Shabanie

The asbestos miners have been struggling for funding and surviving on handouts since the season opened.

Now, the business leaders in this mining town have come together to launch a fund to help the club.
“We are saddened, as children from the Midlands, to hear that our team is struggling financially and we feel it is our duty to assist,” a director of Pronet Cellular, who requested anonymity, said.

“We need FC Platinum and Shabanie Mine to remain in the Premiership and, if possible, to fight for honours so that we grow in business.

“Shabanie has been struggling for a very long time and we are going to help them by whatever possible means so that they remain vibrant.

“We have retained Masomere (Luke) and paid all what he was owed by the team and what we need now is to settle all the monies that the team owes players and the assistant coaches because Masomere does not bring results alone but it is the players who sweat on the pitch.”

Pete Clever, a businessman in this town, will manage the fund.
The businessmen felt that Shabanie were the fourth biggest football club in the country, in terms of support base, after Dynamos, Highlanders and CAPS United and it would be criminal to let such a strong football brand die.

They also asked club chairman, Nephiel Rugara, to provide the team budget and asked for transparency in the way the club handles its funds.

Team manager Samson “Dread” Gondwe , who signed Valentine Ndaba, Fungai Chirinda and Munyaradzi Kunyarimwe from Gunners using his personal funds, also vowed to help in funding the club.

“As the welfare manager, many times when the team does not have cash I will always help and I want to make sure that all dues are settled before the transfer window,” said Gondwe.

“I am also going to book for them to go into camp today (yesterday) from my own pocket as I want them to collect maximum points from Mambas tomorrow.”

Shabanie take on Black Mambas at Morris depot and Masomere predicted a tough match this afternoon.

“It is going to be tough and exciting because only a point separates us. I am going to miss Caleb Masocha through suspension and Pardon Marima who is injured but I want to collect maximum points,” said Masomere.
“In short, I’m ready for the match.”