Manica Diamonds to merge with U19 side, Maruwa set to exit

Manica Diamonds will merge its senior team with its developmental side Manica Diamonds U19 as the club prepares for life in the Pacific Storm Eastern Region Soccer League following relegation from the Castle Lager Premier Soccer League.

A source close to the club told Fanzone that the initial plan for the U19s to drop to the ZIFA Manicaland Province lower divisions has been scrapped.

“Initially the developmental side was set to drop to the ZIFA Manicaland Province lower divisions but that was scrapped as they will merge the two teams into one as they prepare to mount a comeback to the Premier League,” the source said.

The Gem Boys have spent six seasons in the top-flight and are now plotting an immediate return.

The development follows Sunday’s Week 34 defeat to Bulawayo Chiefs at Sakubva Stadium, which was their nineteenth loss of the season.

According to the source, head coach Herbert Maruwa told the players he will leave at the end of the season in an angry outburst after the loss.

“He was distraught with the Bulawayo Chiefs loss. In an angry outburst he told the players that he will be leaving at the end of the season,” the source said.

Maruwa is said to have signed a pre-contract with Shamva-based side Simba Bhora.

The match itself was nearly boycotted as players threatened not to play over unpaid salaries dating back three months.

“Before the game kicked off, the players threatened to boycott the game over unpaid salaries which date back to three months. This was sandwiched by the US$200 they received three weeks ago,” the source added.

Club president Evans Kamombo is said to have warned of a massive clear-out.

“Heads will definitely roll as the Gem Boys prepare for life in the Eastern Region Soccer League,” the source said, quoting Kamombo’s address to the senior squad.

As part of the overhaul, only five players from the current PSL squad will be retained, with the majority of the Under-19 squad kept intact.

Players set to be offloaded include prodigy Masibera, Polyester Shoko, Carlos Mavhurume and Ask Rupande, who will be “expelled for disciplinary issues.”

“Youngsters like Darrel Zulu, Tanaka Chikumba and Heart Chikwara are said to be safe from this purge,” the source added.

With Maruwa’s imminent departure, changes are expected in the technical team, but developmental side gaffer Hibron Makukutu is likely to be retained.

“Kamombo is said to be more inclined with the developmental side and he promised to fund the side in 2027 to make a quick return to the Premier Soccer League,” added the source.

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