Premiership returnees Buffaloes yesterday received a major boost ahead of yet another dance in the top-flight league, from Mbada Diamonds, who donated $100 000 and sports apparel for the army team’s use.
The donation which was made at a city hotel in the eastern border city of Mutare saw the army squad receiving various sporting kits which include two complete sets of Adidas uniforms, 40 tracksuits, 30 soccer boots, 30 training bibs, 30 footballs and a pledge to sponsor the team’s end-of-year awards on condition if they finish in the top eight in the Premier Soccer League (PSL).
The army side, which faced financial hardships in the Eastern Region Division One soccer league last year before they were promoted into the top-flight with an unbeaten record of 26 matches, will be looking to kickstart the season on a high note as the donation by Mbada Diamonds is expected to uplift the morale of players.
Mbada Diamonds chief administration officer Major Mahlangu, who was part of the unveiling proceeding congratulated Buffaloes for being promoted into the PSL.
“You are the pride of Manicaland — the diamond province — and you should immensely benefit from the gems. I would also like to congratulate Buffaloes Football Club for making it into the top –flight 2012 Premier league.
“It is in this vein that Mbada Diamonds has today come with the helping hand as a company operating in the same province. The donation that we are giving you this afternoon would not have been realised were it not the support of our chairman Robert Mhlanga”, he said.
“l would like to praise Buffaloes because we are told the team was promoted into PSL after winning 24 games out of 28 matches they played. They drew three matches and lost only once,’’ he added. Buffaloes chairman Hlanganiso Matangaidze thanked the mining diamond company with the one-off sponsorship and is hoping other companies in the province would follow suit.
“I want to thank you Mbada Diamonds for your donation in support of the team. The team carries the hopes of all soccer loving people of Manicaland province. Our hope is to see other companies in the province following the footsteps of Mbada Diamonds and supporting the team to ensure Mutare continues to enjoy soccer action from the top-flight league,’’ he said.
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Mbada Diamonds introduced themselves into the domestic football league with a bang last season after sponsoring a $1 million knockout trophy. The company also funded the live broadcast of the Africa Cup of Nations finals and Motor Action in the Caf Confederation Cup.
Motor Action were, however, eliminated in the preliminary round of the competition by Black Leopards of South Africa last Sunday.
