Financially troubled Manica Diamonds franchise sold to African Mineral Ventures

Ambitious Eastern Region Soccer League side African Mineral Ventures (AMV) has acquired the Manica Diamonds franchise, NewZimbabwe.com has learnt.

The development comes amid ongoing financial challenges at Manica Diamonds, where players have reportedly gone for four months without receiving salaries.

In addition to unpaid wages, the club is said to owe most players outstanding signing-on fees dating back to last year.

Sources indicate that the agreement between AMV and Manica Diamonds was finalised on Wednesday, with an official takeover announcement expected on Thursday afternoon during the team’s training session at Chisamba Ground.

AMV is set to assume control ahead of the team’s away fixture against Triangle FC this weekend. However, the club will retain the Manica Diamonds name and current playing squad until mid-season.

An insider told NewZimbabwe.com that AMV’s Eastern Region Soccer League coach, Cliffton Kadungurira, is expected to take over as head coach of the newly acquired franchise, along with his entire technical team.

Manica Diamonds currently sit at the bottom of the league table with just one point and are among five teams yet to register a win this season. The others are FC Hunters, Agama FC, TelOne FC, and Highlanders FC.

Meanwhile, Zimbabwe Consolidated Diamond Company has pledged to settle outstanding player salaries and signing-on fees as part of its new agreement with AMV.