Online Reporter
Ray Bande in MUTARE
CASTLE Lager Premier Soccer League basement outfit Manica Diamonds’ new owners, Africa Minerals Ventures, have promised their players hefty perks if they manage to extricate the club from its current position and even much more if they go all the way to win the 2026 league title.
This was revealed by the incoming Manica Diamonds’ vice-president Evans Kamombo at the hand-over-takeover ceremony at Mutare Showgrounds yesterday following the acquisition of the club’s franchise by Africa Mineral Ventures from Zimbabwe Consolidated Diamond Company.
Africa Minerals Ventures announced their arrival in football with the acquisition of Pacific Storm Eastern Region Division One franchise, a team whose future in the second-tier league now hangs in the balance.
In his address to the players, Kamombo said the club will avail life changing incentives if the players bring results.
“There is nothing to stop us from meeting our end of the bargain if you (players) also do your part. The league season is still in its infancy and there is everything to fight for.
“Houses and cars can be bought if we get the results that we want and that includes a possible league title,” he said.
The Mutare Premiership side will now play under a new technical department headed by Klifton “Somalia’’ Kadurira while Tafadzwa Mashiri and lieutenants have been relieved of their duties with immediate effect.
Kadurira, who is expected to start his first training session with the players today, was the head coach at the Pacific Storm Eastern Region Division One side AMV.
Africa Minerals Ventures acquired the Manica Diamonds franchise this week for an undisclosed amount.
The former owners of the club, ZCDC, who owe their own employees at the mine salaries in excess of four months, have not been able to pay the players their signing-on fees and more than three months’ wages.
Yesterday’s handover and takeover ceremony started with former chairman Masimba Chihowa addressing the team before a joint address was conducted when the new owners, club leadership and their technical team arrived.
Joy and jubilation from the players marked the new chairman’s address as pledges for a positive turn of events were being made.
Manica Diamonds have been struggling since the start of the season and only have a single goal with no point to show for their efforts after seven rounds of league matches.
The situation was ostensibly a direct result of low player morale.
In order to boost their morale going into this weekend’s match against Triangle at Gibbo, Africa Minerals Ventures immediately dished out US$1 000 to each player after yesterday’s handover takeover ceremony.
Although club chief executive Nyasha Kadenge refused to comment on the development, insisting that an official press statement will soon be released, Zimpapers Sports Hub has it on good authority that the new owners are taking over both the seniors team and the Under-20 side that is partaking in the Pacific Storm Eastern Region Division One League.
