By Desire Tshuma
MUTARE — With relegation looming, Manica Diamonds FC has thrown open advance online ticket sales for Saturday’s do-or-die Castle Lager Premier Soccer League clash against Harare giants CAPS United , urging the whole of Manicaland to turn Sakubva Stadium blue and roar the Gem Boys to safety.
General tickets are pegged at US$5, and the club is also selling official replica jerseys to help create what officials hope will be a “sea of blue” at Sakubva.
While tickets will still be sold on match day, club officials are pushing fans to buy early.
“The advance ticket initiative is aimed at decongesting entry points on match day, ensuring supporters enjoy a smooth and convenient stadium experience,” a club spokesperson said.
“Buying tickets in advance also guarantees quicker access into the stadium, reduces long queues and allows fans to focus on backing their team from the first whistle.”
A must-win for survival.
Saturday’s encounter has been labelled a must-win by the Mutare side. Manica Diamonds currently sit second-from-bottom on the log, but with several games left, club president Evance Kamombo insists survival is still in their hands.
“We have agreed with everyone in the club that all our remaining home games are must-win matches. We need to collect maximum points and I know the 12th man will play a crucial role,” Kamombo said.
“If it’s about collecting points, we are not only focusing on home games but also away games because we are in a dangerous position.
We have shifted our focus to the upcoming games and we are confident that we will collect maximum points.”
Kamombo said there are “no excuses” and called on players and technical staff to deliver results. He also reminded supporters that the club carries the hopes of more than 2 million people from Manicaland.
“We have no excuses. We just have to produce results,” he added.
As the only team from Manicaland in the Premier League, Manica Diamonds has become a symbol of provincial pride. That weight, officials say, is why every supporter matters now.
Club chairman Tinashe Chipunza echoed the call for unity:
“This is the time for every football-loving person in Manicaland to unite behind Manica Diamonds. Together we are stronger, and with the unwavering support of our fans, we believe this team has everything it takes to overcome the challenge and preserve our Premier Soccer League status. We fight as one family, and we will never stop believing.”
Kambozo’s leadership has also drawn praise across the province. Since taking over, he has been credited with making personal sacrifices and laying a foundation for a more competitive club both on and off the pitch.
Football lovers in Manicaland have thrown their full support behind Kamombo and his executive, saying the current administration deserves backing during this “challenging period.”
Beyond the result, the club wants spectacle. Supporters have been encouraged to buy replica jerseys and flood Sakubva in the Gem Boys’ colours.
The message from the technical team to the terraces is clear “buy early, come early, be loud.”
With survival still mathematically possible, Saturday against CAPS United could define Manica Diamonds’ season.
Manica Diamonds vs CAPS United
Venue: Sakubva Stadium, Mutare
Day: Saturday
Tickets: US$5 General – Advance online sales now open. Match-day tickets also available.
For the Gem Boys, it’s no longer just about 3 points. It’s about pride, province, and Premier League survival.