Fungayi Munyoro-Chingaira 

MUTARE -It is official! Nomadic gaffer Luke ‘Vahombe’ Masomere has quit Mutare City Rovers after being sent on forced leave and is now the new Kariba ZPC FC head coach. 
He parted ways with the Zimbabwe Football Association (ZIFA) Eastern Region Division 1 outfit on Tuesday.
ZPC Kariba Liason Officer Sylvester Mushininga confirmed the development to Mirror Sports. He said Masomere has signed his contract.
“It’s now official that Kariba ZPC FC has engaged Luke Masomere as the new head coach. Contracts have already been signed,” he said.
Masomere takes over from Newsome Mutema, who has been relegated to assistant coach.
He expressed excitement at joining the Kariba outfit and said he would work hard to save it from relegation.
“I’m now head coach at ZPC Kariba. I’m looking forward to a fruitful season. I’m happy to be back in the PSL after a long time. I’m really excited about that. I will start work on Sunday and resume training on Monday,” he said.
Mutare City Rovers FC spokesperson Clayton Masekesa said Masomere resigned from the D1 outfit after being sent on forced leave for influencing players to protest before a match against FC Hunters on Saturday.
“I can confirm that we have received Luke Masomere’s resignation letter. His resignation comes after we had resolved to put him on forced leave following June 10, 2023 events, when he influenced players to protest against the club, and the sponsor (Mutare City Council) before a match against FC Hunters.
“His actions violated the Club’s constitution, Article 5, which clearly states that: “A coach should not in any way influence the players to get involved in any industrial action against the club and sponsor. Masomere also violated Article 6, which states that the coach should not be involved in any activity that tarnishes the image of the Club,” he said.
Masomere has been in charge of Gusha Bhora as Mutare City Rovers are known, since the beginning of the D1 league. Gusha Bhora is fifth on the log with 17 points from 10 matches.
Masomere said the move to the PSL side was necessitated by the need to grow.
“Everyone wants to grow. I just wanted to grow. There is nothing wrong with Mutare City Rovers. I support it, and I want it to gain promotion. The team is good if it gets support.
“This is football. You are hired, and you are fired. I’m very professional. I can still come back to Gusha Bhora. That’s the nature of our job. I love the team,” he said.