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Farai Jere a bigger ownership stake in the country’s third biggest football franchise.
After weeks of prolonged negotiations which at times, appeared to divide the club, club president Twine Phiri and Jere finally put pen to paper yesterday in a new ownership structure they believe will take the Green Machine forward.
Jere, who up to now had a 25 percent stake in the club, will now have a 45 percent shareholding while Phiri will retain the other 55 percent.
Earlier
reports had indicated that Jere was holding out for a 50 percent shareholding but the two parties sealed a deal that keeps Phiri with the majority stake in the club but with his partner now enjoying a considerable influence.
Phiri – who is also the chairman of the Premier Soccer League – yesterday said widespread media reports suggesting that there was turmoil in the team emanating from complications torched by the negotiations had been way off the mark.
Phiri said given that the negotiations had to be directed by lawyers and also involved a lot of paperwork, it was virtually impossible for them to be concluded overnight. The Harare businessman said after having worked with his partner Jere for so long, he was never at any stage in any doubt that the two of them could always strike an amicable working relationship.
Phiri rallied his club’s fans to support their partnership, saying it was the best combination that could take CAPS United to greater heights.
“As we celebrate this historic moment where the two owners of CAPS United Football Club have agreed a new ownership structure for the team, we have all the confidence that it presents a good prescription for taking the club forward,” said Phiri.
“Recent media reports have suggested that there was conflict in the CAPS United boardroom and this has had an effect on, not only our playing staff but also, the technical team and the supporters at large.
“At no point was there any conflict between the two shareholders whose history of working together dates back as far as 2005. I would like to take this opportunity to advise the CAPS United family, in particular, and the entire football family, in general, that we have agreed on the way forward for the club.
“As from today, Mr Farai Jere now owns 45 percent of the shares and ownership of CAPS United while I will retain the 55 percent.
“We believe this will take CAPS United to new heights and we urge all our fans to respect the directors and help the team as we try to march our way back to the top where we belong.”
Phiri said CAPS United has, for a long time, been a model of professionalism in the way the club is administered and there was need for the two directors to work hard to get to the levels that people expected to see when it comes to the running of this team.
“Obviously our reputation has suffered in recent weeks because of the bad media coverage but we remain committed to providing a leadership that will make CAPS United successful and shame all our critics.
“As the two directors we know what we need to do to deliver and now that we have sorted out this issue we can focus our energies on the other key areas of the team.
“My message to our players is that CAPS United remains committed to providing them with an environment that could make them successful professionals who can deliver good results and silverware for the club’s fans.
“Obviously we had our challenges as a team and as directors but we have learnt our lessons and now that the ownership structure has been sorted out we are confident that a lot of good things will follow for this team. Both directors are key members of the CAPS United family and they deserve the respect of everyone from the players to the coaches and the fans.”
Phiri made a specific appeal to a section of the club’s fans who strongly oppose Jere’s presence in the team’s management structures, that this was the time to turn over a new leaf.
“My co-director (Jere) is an owner of this team and we need to accord him some respect becuse he is doing a lot to try and move the team forward.
“Those who feel that Jere should move out of CAPS Utd should reconsider their positions.”
Jere said the sealing of the new deal was a landmark development that was likely to breathe new life into CAPS United.
“I have always believed that as partners we could strike an agreement and I’m happy that we have passed that stage now and we can concentrate on securing new players ahead of the forthcoming season.
“While a lot has been said in the media about this issue, the two directors knew exactly what they were doing and today we are happy to announce a stronger alliance that will provide us with more strength as we move forward.
“We remain committed to offering our players the best deals in this country and in the process hoping that they will also deliver results and trophies to our very loyal fans. We are a big family and there will always be cliques here and there but that should not stop us from developing the strategies that will take the brand of our team to another level.
“We are confident that success is just around the corner for us and if the same spirit that we have seen in the boardroom transfers to the players and the technical team, we will be in for a good season next year.
“My appeal to the fans is for them to remain solidly behind the club because without their support we will not be able to realise all our dreams,” Jere said.
Phiri and Jere are this week set to unveil the new CAPS United Football Club offices from where the club will be operating starting this month.
The two parties recently acquired a house in Harare that has been converted to CAPS United headquarters.
Jere said CAPS United, by virtue of their size, will always attract the headlines either right or wrong but the club remains one of the best-run teams in this country.
Online Reporter