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Brandon Moyo, [email protected]

A new football club has been formed in Plumtree and the directors believe the team has to start from the bottom.

Plumtree Wanderers Football Club is set to play in the Zifa Division Two League.

Club management said they are starting from the grassroots so as to create a relationship between the team and its fans as they grow.

The club has already acquired a nickname, “Mabuyani”.

They have also partnered with Division One side, Mainline FC to showcase the talent that the border town possesses.

“As the name of the Club says it all, Plumtree Wanderers FC will together with our counterparts Mainline FC show Zimbabwe and the world that Plumtree has talent in sport. We have preferred to start at a lower division so that our players and supporters grow together. We have talented young men in Plumtree and around Zimbabwe.

“Plumtree Wanderers FC will try and adopt profesionalism in management by creating a system whereby any member of the club who happens to come to the end of his/her career has something in his or her pocket, this will be done to all staff members, including players having small deductions from their salaries as part of (PPP) which is Private Pension Plan with the help of the club.

“The goal of PW FC is to partner with Mainline FC and represent Plumtree, around the world and around Zimbabwe that Plumtree has great talent.

Wanderers FC will not hesitate to help Plumtree community when need is required and we will respect our counterparts Mainline FC as we are one society,” said club director Menzies Manka.

The launch of the club will take place at Dingumuzi Stadium in Plumtree on November 12, 2023 and Manka said former Highlanders FC players Joel Luphahla and Chipo Tsodzo will attend.

Manka added that as a growing institution they are still working to reinforce their club executive structure. He said he was encouraged by former Highlanders junior coach Ali Dube and CB Mahlangu, Abraham Mbambo, Henry Nyandoro the elder brother of Esrom, the late Tutani Moyo, John ‘Mbokodo’ Maseko, Chris Ncube and Zibusiso Moyo to join the Bosso Under-18s in the mid 1980s.

Manka said they are open to sponsors who are willing to help them grow. “I still have a lot to learn in this industry therefore l will respect the public and all members of Plumtree Wanderers FC. Leading by example has always been in me, l believe that a hand that gives receives more. We are also open to willing sponsors as we look forward to grow and be Plumtree Wanderers FC (Mabuyani) icons,” he said.

Plumtree had Black Horrors who defied the odds to reach the 1979 Chibuku Trophy semi-final only to lose to eventual winners Caps United 2-0. The club had Onias Musana, Grey Ncube and Lemmy Mnenekwa among its key players.

Plumtree FC also tried to make its mark in the 1990s but did not go far.

Manka, is a Zimbabwean born, Canada citizen — @brandon_malvin