Plumtree stunned as Mainline give up Div One status

Chronicle News
FOOTBALL fans in Plumtree have been left devastated after the town’s only Zifa Southern Region Division One side, Mainline FC, controversially swapped its league status with Bulawayo-based Aqua Stars FC — effectively demoting themselves to Division Two.
The shock development has sparked outrage among loyal supporters, who feel betrayed by the club’s leadership.
An urgent meeting, called by club director Mkhulunyelwa Nkomo for 3 March 2026, was met with widespread dismay. Many fans took to social media to vent their fury, with some questioning the purpose of meeting after the decision had already been finalised.
“Why call a meeting now?” one disgruntled fan asked. “If the team has already been sold, what is there to discuss? Are we just being called to rubber-stamp a decision that was made without us? Why wasn’t the community consulted before the deal was concluded?”
Speaking to the press, Nkomo confirmed the swap with Aqua Stars FC, attributing the move to mounting financial pressures. He insisted that the club would retain its identity, continuing as Mainline FC in Division Two while aiming to rebuild and fight for a swift return to the top tier.
“Mainline FC is not dead,” Nkomo asserted. “We are taking a step back to re-group. The plan is to rebuild, play attractive football, and fight for promotion back to Division One next year.”
However, his assurances have done little to calm anger in Plumtree. Another supporter pointed to long-standing concerns within the club’s administration, arguing that Nkomo’s resistance to working with potential investors had contributed to the current crisis.
“It’s been clear for a while that the director has resisted working with others,” the fan said. “That’s why Jonathan Ndlovu walked away. Where was he with his resources when we needed him? The cracks have been there for all to see.”
Interestingly, during the club’s end-of-year festivities, Nkomo publicly appealed for financial partners to come on board, acknowledging the team’s continuing struggles. He even floated the idea of rebranding the club as Plumtree FC — a gesture that now seems hollow in light of recent events.
Efforts to obtain comment from other executive members were unsuccessful, as they redirected all inquiries to Nkomo, insisting he was the only person authorised to respond.
The fallout has left Plumtree — a town with a proud footballing identity — without a single representative in Zimbabwe’s Division One ranks this season.