MUTARE City Rovers learnt nothing from last year’s incident when they had three points docked for using a suspended player after the municipality owned outfit once again got three points docked in their current Eastern Region Division One season campaign after using a player owned by another team in their season opening encounter.

Mutare City Rovers could have easily evaded relegation from the country’s top flight league last year only if the team had avoided getting three points docked for using suspended Kudakwashe Gurure in their league match against FC Platinum at Mandava Stadium.

Gusha Bhora – as City Rovers are fondly referred to by their fans in the eastern border city – were eventually relegated from the domestic Premiership as they trailed survivors Tsholotsho by a single point.

This year, Mutare City Rovers had three points docked by the Zifa Eastern Region administration for using midfielder Emmanuel Silinda in their season opening match against Surrey Abattoirs.

Silinda had already been registered by fellow Eastern Region Division One side Africa Trust.   

Zifa Eastern Region secretary Simba Wisdom confirmed the development to Sportszone.co.zw.

“We docked three points from Mutare City Rovers for using fellow Eastern Region Division One side Africa Trust player Emmanuel Silinda. We just followed the simple rules and regulations of the game when we made the decision,” said Wisdom.

When contacted for comment City Rovers administrator Clayton ‘Bagio’ Masekesa said his club felt hard done by the decision and have already filled a letter of complaint.

“We feel the decision to dock three points was a bit heavy handed on simply because by the time it happened registration was still in progress and there were teams that had not yet even completed player registration.  We have other reasons that we have included in our letter of complaint against that decision and we hope for a favourable response from Zifa,” said Masekesa.

Meanwhile, as the Eastern Region Division One race for the title slowly takes shape for the 2017 season, Mutare City Rovers will face Mucheke Pirates in a potentially exciting top of the table clash pencilled for Mucheke stadium in Masvingo on Sunday.

Gusha Bhora eased into third position on the log thanks to their impressive 3-0 triumph over Masvingo army side United Lions during the same weekend that Buffaloes slumped to a humiliating 1-0 defeat at the hands of Renco Mine at Vengere in Rusape.

The results left Buffaloes still sitting on top of the log owing to a superior goal difference to Mucheke Pirates who also have 17 points with Mutare City Rovers coming third with 16 points.

Log leaders Buffaloes will be taking on another Masvingo side United Lions this weekend.