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Lovemore Zigara in Gweru
FORGOTTEN former Premiership outfit Gweru United’s financial woes played out in public when they failed to assemble a team to face FC Platinum Under-19 at Ascot Stadium for a Zifa Central Soccer League match on Sunday.

Gweru United only managed to field eight players for the match and were clobbered 1-4 by the young platinum miners.

The club is bankrolled by Gweru mayor and businessman Hamutendi Kombayi, and is reportedly in a financial morass, which also saw them failing to travel for their away match to Vumbachikwe.

Gweru United chairman Kingston Mutara refused to shed light on the matter and inquiries to Kombayi.

“I cannot comment on that issue without the authority of the club president (Kombayi) and I suggest you call him and hear what he has to say,” said Mutara.

Efforts to get a comment from Kombayi were futile as his phone rang unanswered.

The loss to FC Platinum Under-19 plunged the Gweru outfit into the relegation zone where they lie second from bottom with nine points off 17 matches.

While drama was unfolding at Ascot Stadium, Whawha was handing log leaders Blanket Mine their first defeat with a 1-0 win.

The prison wardens got the all-important goal from Sylvester Nhamo in the 60th minute. Whawha coach Luke Petros-Jukulile said the victory was a launch pad for a serious championship charge as he believes they can close the 11-point gap between them and the log leaders.

Blanket Mine’s defeat was sweet music to asbestos miners Shabanie Mine, who powered into second place and to within a point of the log leaders when they dispatched ZPC Munyati 3-1 in their own backyard.

Other title aspirants Tongogara also slipped to their first home defeat when they fell 0-1 to Nichrut.

Results: Whawha 1-0 Blanket Mine, ZPC Munyati 1-3 Shabanie Mine, Jessie Mine 0-1 Ivan Hoe, Tongogara 0-1 Nichrut, Kwekwe Sables 0-3 MSU, Chrome Stars 2-0 ZRP Beitbridge, Gweru United 1-4 FC Platinum U19