‘SUSPENDED’ COACH TALKS ABOUT SURVIVING THE AXE. . . NRSL upload interview on their social media platforms. . . Video uploaded hours after ‘suspension’ was announced

Sports Reporter

HOURS after it emerged that Norton Community had suspended their head coach, over match-fixing allegations, the Northern Region Soccer League uploaded a video of the gaffer boasting he will guide the club to beat the relegation axe.

Clemence Masunda, the Norton Community coach, was one of five members of the club who were suspended on allegations of match-fixing related to their 0-7 loss at the hands Scottland at Rufaro last Friday.

Willard Nguwoyembwa, the assistant coach, goalkeeper Brandon Bere and executive committee members — Tafadzwa Kuyerukana and Patrick Nyamayaro — were also suspended. The media statement, announcing their suspension, was signed by club marketing and communications director, L. Mutengwa, on Tuesday and the suspensions were with effect from yesterday.

“We notify the public about the suspension of five team members with immediate effect.

“As of 16 October 2024, they no longer partake in any club activities until further notice.

“The suspensions resulted from an investigation following a review of the Match Day 33, Scottland Fc vs Norton Community at Rufaro Stadium, over allegations of match-fixing which violates our club Policies/Rules.

“The club takes these allegations seriously and we are committed in maintaining the highest standards of conduct and sportsmanship.”

However, just after midday yesterday, the Northern Region Soccer League, uploaded an interview of Masunda, on one of their social media platforms, declaring that he will guide the club to avoid relegation this season.

It was uploaded hours after the Norton Community press release had circulated on various platforms.

The NRSL ran the interview under the headline: “Norton Community FC’s Clemence Masunda confident Norton Community FC will stay up #BhoraRedu #nrsl #morethanjustaleague.”

In the interview, Masunda says:

“We see ourselves surviving relegation, we have a youthful side which is marvellous to work with.

“I think we will make it, we will survive relegation, definitely because the youngsters are ready.”

This appears to suggest the NRSL had not been officially advised of the developments at Norton Community FC, which would be a surprise given they were supposed to be the club’s first port of call, given the gravity and sensitivity of the allegations.

Even if the club had not officially advised the NRSL, it would have been highly unlikely for the league to run Masunda’s interview, talking about the club’s survival, in the wake of yesterday’s developments, unless the league was sending a message that it did not believe the allegations coming out of the club.

The club dominated the NRSL posts on their Facebook page yesterday with one of the posts focussed on goal-scorer Jeremiah Makangira who, with 12 goals, is only two goals adrift of the leader in the Golden Boot – Everson Feremba of MWOS.

The post questioned if Makangira will stay at Norton Community, in the event the club is relegated, or leave in search for greener pastures.

“What does Makangira Future hold? Makangira’s future is uncertain as he continues to shine as Norton Community FC’s top striker, boasting 14 goals and a second-place spot on the NRSL’s top goal scorer list as at Match Day 33,” read the post.

“However, with his team fighting for survival in the NRSL, the looming threat of relegation raises questions about his next move.  Will he remain loyal to his current team or seek greener pastures with a higher-flying club if Norton Community FC drops down a division?.”

Norton Community occupy the last slot, among those clubs which are free from relegation, with 33 points from as many games. The NRSL Facebook page is quite resourceful and features all the Match Day scorers and celebrates all the goalkeepers who would have kept clean sheets.

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