…FC Wangu Mazodze punished in Marondera
TellZim Reporter
There was grief last weekend in the Masvingo football fraternity after both Masvingo city-based Zifa Eastern Region Division 1 teams Masvingo United Football Club (FC) and FC Wangu Mazodze were humiliated home and away.
The newly promoted Rusitu Tigers FC managed to collect maximum points at Mucheke Stadium in Masvingo after they gained Masvingo United’s home ground during the first half.
In their 9th match in Division 1 league, the Chimanimani-based team won 3-1 against Una Una (Masvingo United) on June 4, 2023, after they managed to contain Masvingo United.
Rusitu Tigers President Innocent Mlilo said they were working hard with other stakeholders in Chimanimani and beyond to be among the top 4 when the season ends.
“This is our first season in the D1 soccer league so it’s a year of learning. We are targeting the top 4.
“We are grooming younger players in D2 soccer league around Chimanimani and Chipinge. We also have other teams in the social leagues around the same districts. Our aim is to mould our own players in the eastern side of the country.
One of the Rusitu Tigers directors Alfred Ndima applauded the community for supporting the team.
“We would like to appreciate those who are supporting the team, as you saw we had several supporters in the stadium we are thankful.
“Chimanimani was affected by cyclone Idai in 2019 so football is now a form of entertainment that is comforting us.
“We are anticipating to join the country’s top football league at the end of next season. The team has much potential,” said Ndima.
Masvingo United which is battling financially lost some of its senior players to its city rival Wangu Mazodze and other D1 teams in the province.
Masvingo United FC manager Fidelicy Nyahwai said they have lost several senior players and they are still building the team.
“In football you win and sometimes you lose, we have high hopes that the junior players are going to win in the next matches,” said Nyahwai.
Una Una city rival Wangu Mazodze also lost 1-0 against Surrey FC in Marondera.
Wangu Mazodze’s defeat did not go down well with the team’s top management which threatened to shuffle the team.
In a press statement, FC Wangu Mazodze Vice president Getrude Mazodze promised to make changes to the team.
“The team has been struggling with very small teams which in normal circumstances should be walkovers!
“In the next few days, I will be releasing a statement with regards to some changes which we believe will bring back happiness to the Zhalala Zhululu family,” reads part of the press statement circulated by the team’s spokesperson.
The team last registered victory at Mucheke stadium against Midway FC when the Zhalala Zhululu fans invaded the pitch attacking the visiting team’s goalkeeper.