The ManicaPost
Ray Bande Senior Reporter
BARELY a week after mobile network operator, NetOne’s decision to pull the plug on its sponsorship of Caps United, Highlanders and Black Rhinos, Mutare’s top-flight league outfit, Manica Diamonds, has plunged into panic mode after changes were made to the Zimbabwe Consolidated Diamond Mining (ZCDC)’s board.
ZCDC is Manica Diamonds’ principal sponsor and football lovers are not sure if the new board will not find the football project as excess baggage.
Arguably ZCDC’s biggest corporate social responsibility project, Manica Diamonds have only played one season in the Castle Lager Premiership, finishing on an impressive fifth position way ahead of traditional giants Dynamos and Highlanders.
Commendably, the club has been doing so well such that it has endeared itself with football fans across Manicaland Province.
But as fans wait for the team’s homecoming show at Sakubva Stadium, recent changes to the ZCDC board have sent shivers down the spines of their growing support base.
Government, through the Ministry of Mines and Mining Development, announced the new board members last week.
Geologist Ellah Muchemwa and Elizabeth Nerwande-Chibanda were added to the ZCDC board.
Environmental Management Agency chairman and former Mines and Mining Development Deputy Minister, Zenzo Nsimbi, was also drafted into the board.
Three serving members, Esau Chiadzwa, Alexander Mukwekwezeke and Niya Mtombeni were retained.
Football fans interviewed expressed their fears.
“To be honest, fans are panicking. Their worry is on whether the new board will take drastic decisions that could affect the team. We just hope and pray that the board will see reason in keeping the Manica Diamonds brand,” said Mutare football administrator, Benjamin Chindima.
Manica Diamonds’ new secretary-general, Shingi Nhutsva said they remain hopeful.
“It is our wish to see club surviving beyond Covid-19. We can only hope that the current cash flow challenges will be over soon. However, we can only talk at length after the new board gives us direction,” he said.
