Online Reporter
Veronica Gwaze
Zimpapers Sports Hub
AGAMA’s promotion into the Castle Lager Premier Soccer League was supposed to spark excitement for the Mt Darwin community.
It had also generated excitement within Mashonaland Central province.
Yet the Premiership newboys appear shrouded in challenges that have clouded both the excitement and preparations for their maiden top-flight appearance.
The Mt Darwin-based side may have to endure a slow start to their debut top-flight season with the club already rocked by financial and sponsorship constraints.
Club chief executive Entrodge Usayi revealed to Zimpapers Sports Hub that Northern Region Soccer winners look to start life in the Premiership on the back of uncertainty over their sponsorship talks.
With the 2026 PSL season scheduled to kick-off in three weeks’ time, Agama are in a precarious position where they must balance their preparations with the urgent need for financial stability.
“Since promotion into the PSL we have realised that there is a lot to learn on how football business is done in top-flight,” Usayi said.
“Recently we took part in a PSL workshop, we also learnt more on club administration, club licensing and marketing strategy; areas that we have to look into.”
Last season, Agama were the most financially stable Northern Region league side, boasting of a US$200 000 budget, which sufficed in enticing talent to compete in the second-tier division.
However, top-flight football comes with more financial demands.
According to their preliminary budget for the season, Agama need at least US$900 000 to ensure a smooth operation throughout the campaign.
However, without a committed sponsor, the club literally survives from hand to mouth and do not have the capacity to raise a lump sum for the year.
Agama will be expected to use Wadzanai which also explains their “bloated” budget as stadium hire fares and extra camping charges come into play.
Club owner Malvern Moyo is the sole financier, and Agama’s troubles have also already sparked fears of a repeat of the challenges the PSL endured with Kwekwe United last season.
This has also raised genuine questions over the sustainability of individually owned clubs in the local Premiership.
Usayi said they are actively seeking additional sponsorship opportunities to ease the already existing financial pressures.
“The situation is not entirely looking good; hence, we are out looking for sponsors so that we can complement what we have,” he said.
“We are willing to engage those who want to come on board for sponsorship or partnership arrangements.
“The club is ready to create the best environment which will give them value for their investment because we are aware that football is a business and we both have to win.
“As a club we are willing to learn and grow the brand.” Of the four clubs that were promoted into the Premier Soccer League this year, Agama are the only side who have been conspicuous by their inactivity on the transfer market. Despite indications that they will retain seasoned coach Paul “Popopo’’ Chimalizeni, who guided them into the Premiership, Agama have also been silent about their pre-season preparations.
It has, however, emerged that they have managed to cling on to their leading strikers — Tinashe Balakasi and Grey Kufandada, who also boast some Premiership experience. Chimalizeni has a squad of 25 that is preparing for the season.
“We are doing our pre-season preps with at least 25 players in our books, some of them experienced in terms of PSL.
“Balakasi and Kufandada were also the top performers in Division One, and we believe that with them, we can have a good season.
“We are still building a competitive team because our aim is to stay in the PSL.
“Our maiden season is about acclimatising, establishing ourselves and making sure that we survive.
“We are not here to make numbers but to make a name for ourselves. Our first games will be key; they will have a huge bearing on our future in the league, so we have to come into the season well prepared,” Usayi said.
