Chronicle Editor
HWANGE FC, Matabeleland North’s most successful club with three Castle Cup titles in its history, added another chapter to its storied past this past weekend when it was relegated once again. This marks the fourth time this century that the club has found itself demoted to Division One football. Alongside Arenel Movers and Bulawayo Chiefs, both from the Zifa Southern Region, Hwange’s relegation came as no surprise. The fourth relegated team was Chegutu Pirates.
From the start of the season, these clubs struggled to compete with the rest of the teams in the Castle Lager Premiership. The league now appears to have a three-tier structure: the ‘rich boys’ at the top, the moderate teams like Dynamos and Highlanders, and the lower-tier clubs, including Chegutu Pirates, Arenel, and Bulawayo Chiefs, who struggled financially throughout the year.
The last decade has been dominated by the wealthier teams, with the traditional giants — Caps United, Dynamos, and Highlanders — largely out of contention. Hwange, despite being owned by a mining company, must rue the fact that they do not have access to the more lucrative resources of diamonds, gold, or lithium, which would provide better motivation and remuneration for their players.
Relegated multiple times in the 1980s and 1990s, Hwange has failed to cement its place in the Zimbabwe Premiership. Although they have typically been better resourced than other teams in the Zifa Southern Region Division One League, they have struggled to maintain their top-flight status. In comparison to other teams, such as Bulawayo Chiefs, who have been relegated before, it appears that the lessons from previous experiences have not been learned.
Hwange, Bulawayo Chiefs, and Arenel must rethink their approach to football. They cannot continue to sing the tired refrain that ‘football is a business’ but instead must engage in deep self-reflection. They need to answer honestly whether they are in football for business or merely to satisfy egos.
The Fifa Licensing system, though strict, is a necessary evil. Clubs such as these should have been barred from the Premiership due to their financial instability. No one expects a Premiership team to rely on handouts.
Looking at Hwange, with its large sphere of influence, a rich footballing history, and a source of athletic talent from nearby Binga, they must accept that a quick return to the Premiership is unrealistic. Instead, they should focus on rebuilding their junior structures, starting with primary and secondary school football, and reviving the Wankie African Football Association. By doing so, they can develop players for the long-term and eventually build a self-sustaining model for a return to the top.
Similarly, clubs like Arenel could benefit from establishing an academy and engaging with local communities, while Bulawayo Chiefs must consider a more sustainable ownership model, as history has shown that clubs with individual owners often struggle in the long run.
For Hwange, the key is to learn from their past, build for the future, and develop a robust footballing system that can support long-term success. The club must also review its management structure, which has seen one person remain at the helm despite the repeated relegations. By taking these steps, they can lay the foundation for a more promising future and avoid becoming yet another ‘yo-yo’ club.
Online Reporter