… as main benefactor Mazarire quits
Clayton Shereni
Businessman and Zanu PF politician, Benjaman Mazarire has stopped supporting the Zimbabwe Football Association (Zifa) Eastern Region Division One side, Masvingo Pirates FC for reasons that include his displeasure with team supporters who travelled for a match in an MDC Alliance-branded vehicle.
Mazarire, who became the team’s patron in 2017, was the ruling party’s parliamentary candidate for Masvingo Urban. He lost to the opposition coalition’s Jacob Nyokanhete in the just-ended elections.
A few weeks ago, Masvingo Pirates supporters travelled to Mpandawana for a match against Gutu FC.
They reportedly travelled in Collen Maboke’s car which was branded in MDC Alliance colours and this reportedly displeased Mazarire who felt political colours should have been left out of the team’s business.
Maboke, who is the team’s lawyer, also happened to be the MDC Alliance’s Masvingo Urban Ward 2 candidate in the elections, and is the new councillor for the ward after beating Zanu PF’s Matthew Kubiku.
When contacted for comment, Mazarire chose to be diplomatic, saying he only chose to concentrate on his business.
"I have decided to give others a chance and concentrate on my business which is growing. I have a passion for football, my dream is to see one of the local teams playing in the Premier Soccer League (PSL) and soon I will be coming back to football probably next year,"said Mazarire.
He avoided making specific remarks on the MDC Alliance vehicle issue, saying people were simply failing to appreciate the work he had already done.
Masvingo Pirates spokesperson, Godfrey Mtimba said Mazarire had informed the club that he wanted to concentrate on his political career.
"He said he was pulling out mainly because he wanted to concentrate on his political career and also that he had a campaign to take care of," said Mtimba.topnews
