Player exodus looms at cash-strapped Shabanie

Cash-strapped Zvishavane side, Shabanie Mine are on the verge of losing key players to better-paying teams, with midfielder Trevor Ajana said to be on his way to his former club Black Rhinos, while Farai Mupasiri has been linked to newly-established Manica Daimond FC in the Eastern Region Division One.

The club endured a difficult season where players went for long periods unpaid and on many occasions Mupasiri's mother bailed the club to fulfil its fixtures.

By virtue of being the most supported team in Zvishavane compared to arch-rivals FC Platinum, the outfit relies on gate-takings to boost their coffers.

Under-fire Shabanie Mine chairman Elias Marufu admitted that the club was struggling to secure funding and was worried over the uncertainty surrounding their future.

"We are yet to secure sponsorship for the club, but, of course, we are hoping to find one and obviously it will not be easy to find it considering the harsh economic conditions," Marufu said.

Formerly owned by the now-defunct Shabanie Mine, the club is one the poorest teams after it was left in the hands of the community, predominantly former mine workers in Maglas, who sometimes sacrifice their hard-earned cash for the club operations.

The team also lost players during the July transfer window and they could be forced to start afresh once again next season as players look for greener pastures.

The team fought a tough battle to stay afloat in the top-flight, having flirted with relegation for the greater part of the season.