New gaffer for City Rovers
MUTARE City Rovers will begin life under a new coach Takesure Chiragwi as they seek to evade the dreaded chop but their financial problems persist after their players staged a sit-in during training this week ahead of the resumption of Castle Lager Premiership action tomorrow (Saturday).
Gusha Bhora take on fellow Premiership debutantes Nichrut FC at Ven- gere Stadium on Sunday in a must win encounter if the club still entertains hopes of remaining part of the domestic top flight league.
Mutare City Rovers lost 1-0 in the reverse fixture played in Shurugwi.
However, the battle for survival might be a tall order for Manicaland’s sole Premiership franchise given the well documented financial woes that have troubled the team since the start of the season.
Caretaker coach Ndega Matsika, who was still in charge awaiting the arrival of the new coach this week, had a torrid time trying to convince the players to get on the field of play and start training on Tuesday and Wednesday as they protested against unpaid salaries.
Investigations by this newspaper revealed that Mutare City Rovers still owe its players about two months salaries.
Only recently, Mutare City Rovers officials had a torrid time to convince their players to board the team bus and travel to Harare ahead of their match against Yadah FC as the players refused to fulfil the fixture in protest against non payment of their salaries and bonuses.
Club spokesperson Clayton Masekesa conceded that the players have genuine concerns that they want to be addressed by the club leadership.
He said the executive is working tirelessly with council management to resolve the matter.
“In an environment people express their disgruntlement by embarking on a strike. Yes, they have genuine concerns but it is very sad that the players have resorted to a strike at a time the executive is working tirelessly with council management to resolve the matter. We understand their plight but as professional players they should have followed the correct channels.
“As an executive we are now in the process of engaging the relative authorities to find an emergence solution. We now need to be more focused and l think corrective measures will be undertaken. We now need to seek the common football denominator to fight relegation,” said Masekesa.
Even the recent engagement of a new coach has been marred by controversy with the club insisting that he will be joining camp soon while the rumour mill has it that the club failed to avail $30 for the Shabanie Mine coach to travel to Mutare to start work in his new role as head coach.
“No, no, it is not true. It is sad that some people are fond of exaggerating things that are meant to tarnish the image of the club to score personal vendettas. What we know as a club is that we sent him the money yesterday (Monday) and we are expecting him in Mutare anytime from now,” said Masekesa.
When contacted for comment, the former Shabanie Mine gaffer neither confirmed nor denied links with Mutare City Rovers.
“I will let you know when I start work at Mutare City Rovers. I cannot comment further,” he said.
Saturday: Harare City FC v Caps United (Rufaro Stadium); FC Platinum v ZPC Kariba FC (Mandava Stadium); Herentals FC v Ngezi Platinum Stars FC (National Sports Stadium):
Sunday: Mutare City Rovers FC v Nichrut FC (Vengere Stadium); Dynamos FC v Chicken Inn FC (Rufaro Stadium); Black Rhinos FC v Highlanders FC (National Sports Stadium); Bulawayo Chiefs FC v Yadah FC (Luveve Stadium); Triangle United FC v Shabanie Mine FC (Gibbo Stadium); Chapungu FC v Bulawayo City FC (Ascot Stadium).