Trust Rukwava
Centre News Sports Hub
Masvingo- All is not rosy at Masvingo United Football Club, which has been rocked by turbulence after two senior executives resigned on the same day, leaving the club in disarray.
Club spokesperson Omen Mafa tendered so as the Chief Executive Officer, Phillip Shumba, in a move rumoured to be triggered by political interference in the running of the club.
Mafa and Shumba, who had been instrumental benefactors who catered for player welfare at the club for several years, keeping the club afloat, have left a void which analysts believe will be difficult to fill.
Shumba and Mafa had made strides to professionalise the club, but rumours in the corridors of the football-loving community in Masvingo suggest that some politically linked supporters were baying for their blood, leading to their departure for professional and reputational reasons.
Mafa said the decision to step down emanated from a letter written by the supporters’ executive.
“The supporters’ executive wrote a letter to the main executive; among other issues, they demanded my resignation and that of a few other members. The reason was that Mafa is always defending the main executive on social media platforms. Of course, that did not deter me because that is part of the duties of a spokesperson of any organisation,” said Mafa.
He said he decided for the good of the club.
“What made me step down was the continued pressure from some supporters on social media platforms. AI-generated placards were being sent on social media platforms calling for my resignation. I am a registered legal practitioner who is practicing as such in Masvingo; I would not want my good name to trend for the wrong reasons. So I decided to step down and join the same supporters. I have trust in all the remaining executive members. They all have experience in the administration of football. The team remains in safe hands,” added Mafa.
Whilst confirming his departure from the executive, Shumba refused to comment any further but urged the community to stay positive because good tidings are on the way for Masvingo United fans.
A senior player, speaking on condition of anonymity, said he and other players might also depart as the executive that lured them is no longer there.
“The situation is now bad; we have been unsettled. Boss Shumba and Mafa used to support us and take care of our welfare; that’s why I came to Masvingo. Now that they are gone, some of my friends and I might also go,” said the player who preferred anonymity.
A certain section of supporters has also expressed displeasure over the resignation of the two executives, saying politics has no room in football, calling for the executive and aggrieved politicians to find each other to save the face of the team.
“We love our team, but politicians are now deciding who stays and who goes now mudhara Shumba naOmen vaenda zvirinane tirege kuuya kustadium pane kuitirwa matakanana nevanoda simba. Parikuda kutaurirana kwakasimba apa haisiyo Una yatakasiirwa naVaMhunga iyi” said an aggrieved supporter.
Morale had also hit its lowest in the dressing room earlier during the week after head coach Suprine Muchabaya also resigned together with Collen Maboke, who was another club benefactor and administrator.
Masvingo United, widely regarded as a team that represents a city proud of its heritage, faces its toughest test with the developments off the pitch throwing the team into uncertainty.
