Masvingo United F.C.

Masvingo United

Full name	Masvingo United
Nickname(s)	Yuna Yuna, Asipo Haapo, The Busmen
Founded	1997
Ground	Mucheke Stadium Masvingo, Zimbabwe (Capacity: 10,000)
Chairman	Kizito Mugadza
Manager	Lloyd "Samaita" Mutasa
League	Zimbabwe Premier Soccer League (ZPSL)
Home colours Away colours

Masvingo United is a Zimbabwean football club based in Masvingo. They used to play in the top division in Zimbabwean football, but were for the second time relegated to Division one at the end of the 2008 season.^[1] The club is bankrolled by Mr. Tanda Tavaruva & sons, whose mainstay is provision of transport services. He owns one of the largest fleet of buses in Zimbabwe. Masvingo United was established in the year 1997. The club bought a franchise from Zimex, a then Cold Storage Commission sponsored club in Masvingo & changed the name to Masvingo United. In the 1998/1999, season, whilst playing 1st division soccer in the Southern zone, Masvingo united came out tops and gained promotion to the Premier league. In 2002, the club was relegated, but rebound to the premier league the following season.

Achievements

• ZIFA Unity Cup: 2

2002, 2005

• Zimbabwean Independence Trophy: 2

2006, 2007

• OK Woza Bhora: 1

2005

Masvingo United have, since the 2005 season booked a position amongst the top 4 best supported, and performing clubs in Zimbabwe. They only lost the championship battle to CAPS United on the last day, in the 2005 season and ended the season on position 2. In the 2006 season, Masvingo United completed the season on position 3, trailing Champions Highlanders & runners up, Motor Action. In terms of following, measured by amounts realised in gate-takings at home matches, Masvingo United are fourth in the Zimbabwean top league, after Highlanders, CAPS & Dynamos.

In May 2010, Masvingo United changed their name and are now known as Zimanzi Masvingo. [1]

Performance in CAF competitions

• CAF Cup Winners' Cup: 1 appearance

2003 - Preliminary Round

Squad

Note: Flags indicate national team as has been defined under FIFA eligibility rules. Players may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality.

No. Position Player - GK Tafadzwa Dube - DF Costa Nhamoinesu - DF Godfrey Dondo - DF Progress Musepa - DF George Magariro - DF Pardon Chinungwa - MF Ovidy Karuru - MF Milton Makopa

No. Position Player - MF Wonder Sithole - MF Robson Tswaki - MF Cyprian Muchabaya - MF Tapiwa Khumbuyani - FW Martin Vengesai - FW Johnson Zimbabwe - FW Simba Gate - FW Douglas Zimbango

Notable players

Isaac Banda Isaac Chapura Pardon Chinungwa Tembo Chuma "Chokri" Godfrey Dondo "Mai Mahofa" Nkulumo Donga "Vashevedzei" Tafadzwa Dube Clarkson Dzimbiri Simbarashe Gate Taurai Gogwe Muzondiwa Gonese Itayi Gwandu Lloyd Hlahla "Hitman" Takunda Jaricha Musareka Jenitala

Ovidy Karuru Tapiwa Kumbuyani George Magariro Milton Makopa Misheck Makota Shadreck Malunga Taurai Mangwiro Jokonia Manoti Cyprian Muchabaya Ackim Muganyi David Mukandawire Betserai Mukute Progress Musepa David Mutale Ferdinand Mwachindalo "Zmabian"

Merciful Ncube Malvern Nyakabangwe Isaac Nyausaru Asmin Rupanga Lazarus Sithole Wonder Sithole Norman Togara Chipo Tsodzo Robson Tswaki Tawanda Usher Martin Vengesayi Moses Williams Johnson Zimbabwe Douglas Zimbango

Coaches

Charles Mhlauri had a largely unsuccessful stint as Head Coach for Masvingo United. He left the club facing relegation. Fewdays Musonda, the late Lovemore Nyabeze (twice), the late Gombera, Angirayi Chapo & Tavaka Gumbo (as caretaker coach) are notable past coaches for Masvingo United Luke Masomere guided Masvingo United to a second position finish on the league log in the 2005 season & won 3 major cup competitions in years 2005 and 2006. He is the most successful coach for Masvigo United to-date. With Luke Masomere in charge, Masvingo earned the 'Cup Kings of Zimbabwe tag'. With a few games remaining in the 2006 season, Luke Masomere left Masvingo United for greener pastures to join Gaborone United in Botswana. His assistant Taurai Mangwiro remained in charge of the last few games & guided the team to a third place finish.

References

1. ^ "Monomotapa in turmoil as Mapeza quits". NewZimbabwe.com. 22 Jan 2009. http://www.newzimbabwe.com/pages/cbz239.19294.html. Retrieved 2009-02-09.