Masvingo United F.C.

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Masvingo United

Full name

Masvingo United

Nickname(s)

Yuna Yuna, Asipo Haapo

Founded

1997

Ground

Mucheke Stadium
Masvingo, Zimbabwe
(Capacity 10,000)

Chairman

Kizito Mugadza

Manager

Cornelious "Cargo" Tavaruva

League

Zimbabwe Premier Soccer League
(ZPSL)

2006





Home colours





Away colours

Masvingo United is a Zimbabwean football club based in Masvingo. They play in the top division in Zimbabwean football. Their home stadium is Mucheke Stadium. Masvingo United are affectionately nicknamed Yuna Yuna, Asipo Haapo, Wezhira by their passionate legion of fans. 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. 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 establish 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. There were wild celebrations following their 3-0 drubbing of Silvertone. In 2002, the club was relegated, but rebound to the premier league the following season & now looks set to stay and claim a permanent position amongst the top clubs in the country.

The most successful coach to-date is Luke Masomere who 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. 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. The club has recently acquired a very young talented player called Tawanda Usher. Straight from his A levels, the young player has been a key goal scorer for the Zimbabwe under 20.

1 Achievements
2 Performance in CAF competitions
3 Squad
4 Notable Players

[edit] Achievements

ZIFA Unity Cup: 2

2002, 2005

Zimbabwean Independence Trophy: 2

2006, 2007

OK Woza Bhora: 1

2005

Charles Mhlauri had a largely unsuccessful stint as head coach for Masvingo United in year 2002, leading to the club 's eventual relegation then. Mhlauri was relieved of his duties at Masvingo United just before the last few games of the season. Fewdays Musonda, Lovemore Nyabeze, the late Gombera, Angirayi Chapo & Tavaka Gumbo (as caretaker coach) are notable past coaches for Masvingo United.

Team colours are RED & BLUE - (like F.C. Barcelona colours).

[edit] Performance in CAF competitions

CAF Cup Winners' Cup: 1 appearance

2003 - Preliminary Round

[edit] Squad

No.		Position	Player
		GK	Tafadzwa Dube
		DF	Costa Nhamoinesu
		DF	Godfrey Dondo
		MF	Ovidy Karuru
		DF	Progress Musepa
		MF	Milton Makopa
		MF	Wonder Sithole
			Martin Vengesai
			Johnson Zimbabwe
		DF	George Magariro
		MF	Robson Tswaki
		MF	Cyprian Muchabaya
		DF	Pardon Chinungwa
		MF	Tapiwa Khumbuyani
			Simba Gate
			Douglas Zimbango

[edit] Notable Players

Lloyd Hlahla "Hitman", Godfrey Dondo "Mai Mahofa", Johnson Zimbabwe, Wonder Sithole, Itayi Gwandu, Simbarashe Gate, Isaac Banda, Isaac Nyausaru, Cyprian Muchabaya, Pardon Chinungwa, George Magariro, Douglas Zimbango, David Mutale, Ferdinand Mwachindalo, Tafadzwa Dube, Betserai Mukute, Lazarus Sithole, Tembo Chuma "Chokri", Jokonia Manoti, Asmin Rupanga, Malvern Nyakabangwe, Musareka Jenitala, Merciful Ncube, David Mukandawire, Chipo Tsodzo, Nkulumo Donga, Taurai Mangwiro, Norman Togara, Clarkson Dzimbiri, Muzondiwa Gonese, Misheck Makota, Taurai Gogwe, Moses Williams, Ackim Muganyi, Ovidy Karuru, Martin Vengesayi, Isaac Chapura, Milton Makopa, Progress Musepa, Shadreck Malunga Takunda Jaricha, Robson Tswaki, Tapiwa Kumbuyani

Zimbabwe Premier Soccer League 2008

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