The Sunday Mail
Langton Nyakwenda recently in ZVISHAVANE
IT’S off-season and the quietness, or lack of verve prevailing in the soccer-mad town of Zvishavane, can naturally be expected.
After all, the popular Makorokoza, the blinging gold panners who usually hype the small town, are on the low — reason being that the alluvial deposits of the yellow metal are dwindling and only those with heavy mining machinery can now access the precious mineral.
But the sordid state of affairs in the Midlands town can partly be attributed to the demise, or rather uncertainty, over the people’s favourite team Shabanie Mine, one of the oldest and most-supported football clubs in the country.
A combination of factors, mainly financial constraints, saw Shabanie Mine losing their Premiership status at the end of last season and there has been speculation and counter speculation on the future of the club that makes the town of Zvishavane tick.
It has been confirmed that Shabanie Mine are in talks with newly promoted side Hwahwa Prison as part of attempts to buy their way back into the top flight through acquisition of a PSL franchise.
However, sources close to the talks say Shabanie Mine are failing to meet the financial requirements put on the table by Hwahwa Prison, whose franchise is also reportedly being chased by Midlands State University and Gweru City.
The sources claim that a figure in the region of $50 000 has been thrown around on the negotiating table.
On the other hand, some reports have also claimed that the passionately supported club is on the verge of collapse due to the deteriorating financial situation.
It is sad that in a year Shabanie are celebrating 100 years of existence, their fans have to grapple with the ignominious reality of preparing for life in the lower league, while bitter rivals FC Platinum are gearing for a second dance on the African Safari.
Such is the contrasting fortunes of one of the country’s fiercest football rivals and for the first time since 2011 when FC Platinum burst onto the top-flight scene, the 2015 Castle Lager Premier Soccer League calendar will not have the Zvishavane Derby fixture.
For now, the Chinda Boys will have to brace for another stint in the Central Region Division One League and it remains uncertain from where Shabanie Mine will draw their financial blood to sustain a campaign in the less rewarding league.
The interim technical team led by Arnold Jani, which began its pre-season preparations last Wednesday, also has to search deeper for players as a massive exodus, triggered by the latest development, has left the club with a depleted human resources base.
“It is sad to note that this dark hour has coincided with our centenary year. It is a fact and we have to start preparing for Division One football.
“Folding is out of the question. Yes, there has been talk of us buying the Hwahwa Prison franchise, but what I can say is that for now nothing concrete has come out of that.
“We have also allowed our players to look around for greener pastures; you know it is difficult to retain players who are used to playing top flight football, especially in these circumstances.
“We are prepared to start afresh, find new players and work with those senior players prepared to stay with us,” said Fidelis Chimedza, Shabanie vice chairman.
Shabanie Mine have lost a number of key players during the off-season, chief among them rising utility player Godknows Murwira, who has joined league champions Dynamos and goalie Victor Twaliki who is on his way to Caps United.
Combative midfielder Wellington Kamudyariwa has joined rivals FC Platinum, while veteran defender Smart Muchabaiwa’s future with the club remains doubtful.
Shabanie Mine is the club that gave the nation a prolific striker called Thomas “Chaurura” Makwasha (now late), the bustling Asani “War Vet” Juma and provided a platform for a midfield genius by the name Francis “Gweje Gweje” Chandida and former Warriors no-nonsense defender Zvenyika “Zvee” Makonese to blossom at the turn of the millennium. Their peak was in 2001 when they shocked giants Dynamos 1-0 in the final of the BP League Cup, with Makwasha netting a thunderous grounder that gave Gift “Umbro” Muzadzi no chance at the National Sports Stadium.
They finished a surprising third on the log standings that season and participated in their maiden Caf Confederation Cup the following year.
The period between 2001 and 2005 is regarded as the club’s golden era, as the Midlands side finished in the top eight and cemented its position as a force to reckon with.
Shabanie were, however, relegated from the top flight in 2006 before making a return in 2010, but this time on a less glamorous note as the financial constraints had begun to bite.
The ensuing years would be tumultuous for the Zvishavane side, which fought against relegation twice in 2011 and 2013 before finally succumbing last year.
Shabanie Mine’s fall from grace, its endless financial woes, especially after the closure of the asbestos mine and the resultant relegation, torments Makonese who has retraced his roots back to Zvishavane after stints with various clubs in the South African Premier League.
The 37-year-old Makonese, who played a pivotal role at the back last season, albeit in vain, cast a depressed figure when The Sunday Mail bumped into him at a local restaurant.
“Shabanie Mine is a very big team; it is sad that we find ourselves in this situation. I will not retire from football until we return to the top flight.
“I had thought of hanging up my boots, but I can’t leave the club in this hour . . . we hear there is talk of the club’s leadership making headway in securing sponsorship to buy a franchise, but that is all a rumour; nothing concrete has come out,” said Makonese.
The Sunday Mail gathered that a consortium of local businessmen is behind the idea of buying Shabanie Mine’s way back into the Premiership.
The relegation of Shabanie Mine will definitely impact negatively on the local business, which normally thrives on entertainment and hospitality.
For now, the famous war cry “Shabanie Yangu Mhai” will be missed when the PSL kicks off and for Obert Sithole, the popular blind football analyst based in Maglas suburb, it is a catastrophe.
“It is difficult for the supporters here to believe that Shabanie are actually going to Division One; they still hope something can be salvaged from these rumoured talks with Hwahwa Prison.
“What pains more is that their bitter rivals FC Platinum are doing well. As it is, they want the club’s executive to do anything to ensure that they stand toe to toe with their rivals,” said Sithole.
