The ManicaPost
Ray Bande Senior Sports Reporter
As the flagship football team in Manicaland Mutare City Rovers is searching for solutions to move away from the basement of the domestic top flight 16-team log table, more than five key players are set to leave the club soon in search of greener pastures, Post Sport has learnt.
After an industrial action by City Rovers players on Wednesday morning when they refused to travel to Harare for their away match against Yadah which was set for Thursday (yesterday), Mutare City Rovers administration will have to deal with another challenge – that of senior players opting to move away from the team during the transfer window period.
2014 Soccer Star of the Year finalist Themba ‘Chairman’ Ndlovu confirmed that he is parting ways with Gusha Bhora after the match against Yadah in Harare on Thursday (yesterday).
“I am certainly leaving the club. I think I kept on training just to keep fit but otherwise I do not think I can still stay in this environment. I have to move on and the Yadah match must be my last one,” said Ndlovu.
Apart from Ndlovu, defender Gift Jimu, Patrick Dubbs, Washington Pakamisa, goalkeeper Tafadzwa Dube, Evans ‘Morocco’ Chikwaikwai, Sadiki Takunda and Issa are also highly likely to pack their belongings during the transfer window period.
Club spokesperson Clayton Masekesa confirmed that they were aware that some senior players would be leaving the club during the transfer window period.
“Football has become a business and the players want to live a life and look after their families. The team has been going under serious financial constraints. While we are hoping to have some stability in terms of finance, the players have the genuine right to look for greener pastures elsewhere.
“We appreciate their dedication and commitment they have been showing regardless of the serious financial problems that have been rocking the team.
“It so sad and unfortunate that some players will be leaving us but our objective was to build a strong team as one family.
“Football has become commercial and at the end of the day the players need to put food on the table. I hope that those that will remain with us will carry us to the Promised Land and avoid relegation,” he said.
Mutare City Rovers, who were set to entertain Yadah away in Harare on Thursday (yesterday), will host the ‘Sugar Sugar’ boys at Vengere in their week 14 fixture on Sunday.
The match will kick off at 3pm.
