On November 28 2015, a dark cloud engulfed the border town of Mutare when Harare giants Dynamos condemned army side Buffaloes to the unfashionable world of Division One, to end their four-year stay in the topflight league.
BY KENNETH NYANGANI
Dejection and disappointment was written all over the eastern border city’s soccer loving fans’ faces.
It did however, not take long for Mutare City to bring back the smiles to their adoring fans’ faces as they pipped former premiership side Masvingo United to the Eastern Region championship to earn an automatic promotion into the topflight league.
The fierce battle between Mutare City — the eventual winners — Masvingo United and Hartley Academy, who led the pact for the better part of the season, had threatened Mutare City’s chances of making it into the premiership.
On the weekend Buffaloes were relegated, with one game remaining before the curtain came down in the Eastern Region Division Football league, Mutare City were occupying second position with 66 points while Masvingo United was leading the standings with 67 points.
Hartley Academy were on third position with 65 points.
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Masvingo had their destiny in their hands as they needed maximum points against Mutoko Traders in the last game of the campaign to secure a premiership return.
However, football gods were not on their side as they were held to a goalless draw in Mutoko which saw most of the Una Una players kicking themselves after the final whistle having heard the results from other centres.
Mutare City had defeated Ruwa Gunners 2-0 on the same day (December 6) in the capital at Rufaro to steal the sole promotional ticket, bringing back joy to the soccer-crazy football fans in Mutare.
Rovers ended the season with 69 points from 34 matches, while Masvingo United were on second position with 68 points — the same as third-placed Hartley Academy, but they had a good goal difference than their counterparts.
Business came to a standstill in the eastern border city a day after the team got promoted as players, officials, accompanied by the brass band and management, paraded in the city to celebrate the rare achievement.
This also brought relief to Rovers fans who have for the past three years suffered agony after near misses.
In 2012 they came second to premiership side Triangle while in 2013 they came second to the now defunct Hippo Valley which later changed name to Chiredzi FC.
Last year, they came second to Dongo Sawmill who had only a season to play in the topflight league before being relegated again to Division One.
In an exclusive interview with Standardsport this week, Rovers head coach Kennedy “Bokande” Kachara highlighted the need to avoid relegation in their maiden season in the premiership, adding that there was need to beef-up the squad to be in a position to challenge the best teams.
“We just want to avoid relegation in our first season, that will be our major priority. For the last three seasons we were coming second, it was heartbreaking. However, that was great because we also gained experience,’’ Kachara said.
“We are looking forward to beef-up our squad.We need two goalkeepers, two defenders and more strikers because this is our weakest position. We are not going to dispose any player in the squad because we want to create competition in the team,’’ he said.
Kachara, who has never coached a premiership football team, believes he will be up to the task.
“I have never coached in the premier league but I have what it takes to coach in there. Competition is also tough in Division One and I think I have gained experience in the league,’’ he added.
The gaffer was last week named the 2015 Coach of the Year at the Eastern Region awards ceremony held at Wise Owl Hotel where top 11 players who excelled in the just-ended season were rewarded with monetary prizes and trophies.
Staunch “Gusha Bhora’’ supporter and patron of the club, Mutare City mayor Tatenda Nhamarare said they are not going into the league to make numbers.
“We were finally promoted into the premier league after a tough road. Remember, we have been coming second for the past three seasons, but thanks to God this year we finally made it after a tight race,’’ he said.
“In our first season, we are hoping to avoid relegation and we are not there to make numbers. I think on the issue of players, we are leaving it to the technical department,’’ he said.
The city’s town cleck Obert Muzawazi while addressing players and supporters during the celebrations, said they are going to help the team financially.
“I was surprised that we were promoted into the premier league. I want to thank the mayor because he is the one who has been following the team in all their matches. He has shown passion for football,’’ he said.
“I know that the economy is not performing well but we are pledging our support to you and we are also urging other stakeholders to come and also support the team,’’ he added.
Mutare City Rovers players who were outstanding were the duo of former Buffaloes players Prince “Giggs’’ Mudau and defender Patrick Alfasi.
The two players were instrumental when Buffaloes was promoted into the premier league in 2011.
Dylan Chiwandire also scored vital goals for the team in the rundown to the promotion.
Unlike Buffaloes, it seems Mutare City enjoys great support from the city’s community, as well as financial assistance from the business community.
There is great hope that if the community remains united in assisting the team, the sky will be the limit for Rovers.
Mutare City becomes the third municipal-sponsored team in the league after Harare City and newcomers Bulawayo City.
