By Desire Tshuma
Mutare — Manica Diamonds Football Club has ushered in new ownership, with Danieg Incorporated formally taking over from Zimbabwe Consolidated Diamond Company (ZCDC) after an eight-year partnership that established the club in the Premier Soccer League.
Speaking at a press briefing in Mutare on Saturday, outgoing chairman Chihohwa Masimba said the transition was about securing the club’s future.
“Today is a significant moment in the journey of this great club, Manica Diamonds,” Masimba said. “Today we take an important step forward towards securing the future of Manica Diamonds. This transition is not only about an ending. It is about continuity, growth and renewal. It is about ensuring that the club is placed in a position of strength, stability and long-term success.”
Masimba paid tribute to ZCDC’s role since the club’s inception.
“For the past eight years, ZCDC has been more than a sponsor. It has been the lifeblood of the Manica Diamonds Football Club,” he said. “Through its unwavering financial support, commitment to community and belief in the power of sport, ZCDC gave this club its identity and its place in the Premier Soccer League. Your contribution will never be forgotten.”
Ownership was formally handed to Danieg Incorporated, with Evans Kamombo introduced as Manica Diamonds F.C president.
Kamombo said the decision to take over was rooted in provincial pride and the need to protect top-flight football in Manicaland.
“Manica Diamonds is the only club that is in Manicaland province, that is in the Premier League,” Kamombo said. “I won’t be happy seeing the only light of Manicaland fading. We decided to take it over so that we can bring Manicaland back in the system of football.”
He admitted the club’s start to the season had been disappointing but said the immediate focus was stability.
“Our immediate priority is to restore confidence throughout the club by creating a stable environment in which players, technical staff and management can perform at their best,” Kamombo said. “We are committed to ensuring that Manica Diamonds is run with discipline, transparency and ambition.”
On the club’s financial obligations, Kamombo said issues were being resolved.
“What I can only promise is that the players have already started smiling on their faces. We have put smiles, and the bills are being catered for,” he said. “There is a department in the team that is taking care of the debts that are owed by the club.”
Kamombo said there were no plans for an immediate shake-up of the executive.
“It’s a performance-based position. When the club’s structure is performing very well, I don’t think there can be any reason for changing the structure,” he said. “We are coming not to destroy, but to bring stability to the thing that was shaking.”
Masimba called on supporters to remain behind the team.
“To our supporters, I say this: Remain united, remain hopeful, remain proud,” he said. “Your loyalty has carried this club through difficult moments and it will be the same unity that carries it into a brighter future.”
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