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Takudzwa Chitsiga

Sports Reporter

NOMADIC coach Luke “Vahombe” Masomere has quit ZIFA Eastern Region Division One side Mutare City Rovers after just six months in the job.

The self-proclaimed “Doctor of Football” tendered his resignation yesterday and the club confirmed they have parted ways with the seasoned football coach.

His erstwhile assistant Chasten Ngondonga will take over the reins in the interim and will be assisted by former Warriors midfielder Shepherd Muradzikwa, while Peter Masibera will remain the goalkeepers’ coach.

Masomere had joined the Eastern Region Division One team, a side that is owned by Mutare City Council, in April and was leading the fight for promotion in the Premier Soccer League.

But with 17 points after 10 matches and lying fifth on the table Masomere has decided that it is time he calls it quits.

He has previously had a successful stint with another Mutare-based side, Manica Diamonds, from its formation in 2017.

He helped the club gain promotion into the Premier Soccer League in 2018 but was sacked the following year following a spate of poor results.

Masomere’s sudden departure might have caught the Mutare City Rovers management by surprise. When joining in January, just before the start of the 2023 season, the Zvishavane-based coach had promised to accomplish the same feat of gaining Premiership promotion with Mutare City Rovers.

“Football has brought me back to Mutare,” he was quoted as saying then.

“I have fallen in love with the city and its people. Every time I come to Mutare I feel like I’m coming home. It’s more like my second home and I am happy to be back here.

“My target is to get back to PSL with Mutare City Rovers and that is also the club’s target. We are conducting trials for all departments because we really want to have a competitive team that can challenge for honours. The club executive, council and myself are going to strike a good working combination,” said Masomere.

Reports have linked the much-travelled coach with a return to the PSL in the coming weeks as he is tipped to take over the vacant job at ZPC Kariba. The post fell vacant following the departure of Darlington Dodo recently.

The Kariba side currently has a temporary arrangement with Newsome Mutema, who has encountered missed results since assuming the head coach’s roles last month and it appears the club’s hierarchy is not satisfied.

They hope Masomere will be able to turn around the fortunes because of his experience. Masomere has coached several teams in the Premiership, including giants Dynamos and CAPS United, How Mine, Shabanie Mine, Masvingo United and Manica Diamonds.

Vahombe, without doubt is one of the most nomadic coaches in Zimbabwe, having also led Botswana clubs Gaborone United, Nico United and Notwane in his unfolding coaching career.