HIGHLANDERS Football Club secretary Andrew Tapela yesterday rubbished speculation he forced former midfielder Masimba Mambare who joined Dynamos Football Club last week, out of the team.
Ronald Moyo Own Correspondent
Mambare’s move to Bosso’s traditional football rivals DeMbare has stirred a lot of controversy within the football fraternity in the country with some section of the State media labelling the 27-year-old a “traitor”.
There are allegations that Tapela was instrumental in Mambare walking out of Highlanders, allegedly labelling him an ordinary player who needed to be replaced by the club.
Social networks were abuzz yesterday with rumours Mambare wanted to continue playing for Bosso, but was forced to look for greener pastures at Dynamos largely due to Tapela’s alleged machinations, including allegedly frustrating the renewal of his contract. It is alleged Tapela publicly stated had Mambare been signed, the executive would have swopped him with Caps United’s Rahman Kutsanzira.
But Tapela yesterday denied any involvement in forcing Mambare out of Highlanders, saying he was aware of the rumour doing the rounds.
“I have not had a word with Mambare since the team won the Mbada Diamonds Cup in November. His departure has nothing to do with Tapela as a person. How could I do such a thing when I work with four other intelligent executive members? I am not even surprised because it started some time back, in the process tarnishing my image. Highlanders is such a big institution that I cannot negotiate players’ contracts as an individual. If he (Mambare) is a Christian, a God-fearing man, he will never say that because since we won the Mbada Diamonds Cup final against How Mine I have never talked to him,” Tapela added.
Efforts to contact Mambare to substantiate some comments attributed to him on some websites were fruitless. He is in camp with the national team which will face Uganda this afternoon.
