Online Reporter
Curtworth Masango
Zimpapers Sports Hub
THE Castle Lager Premier Soccer League roars back to life this March, with debutants FC Hunters expected to light up the topflight.
The Marondera side comes with noise and colour, fuelled by the packed Division One crowds that carried them here.
But the celebration is already thinning.
A hard reality sits at the centre of their dream. Their home ground, Marondera City Council’s Rudhaka Stadium, does not meet premier league standards.
There is no upgrade planned.
That leaves the club staring at an ugly compromise. Ngoni Stadium or Sakubva. Both are far from Marondera, stripping Hunters of any real home advantage and turning every fixture into a costly exercise on the road.
The financial hit is heavy. About US$900,000 for the season.
With no sponsor secured, the leap into the top flight is in danger of collapsing before a ball is kicked.
A source close to the club laid bare the crisis.
“We are desperately seeking partners and sponsors. Rudhaka’s failure means no PSL football will be played in Marondera.
“We are scrambling for alternatives, and the congestion at other grounds is severe. It’s the reason for our choice, but the challenge is immense.”
Unless something shifts fast, the early euphoria in Marondera will drain away before the opening whistle.
“The club understands the consequences of going in a full blown season with these consequences. It needs the resources and the club alone won’t match the requisite.
“It simply means if anything comes into play in the coming weeks the dreams lives on but if it fails then it’s likely a dream shattered.
The warning signs are no longer subtle.
Still, the club has not given up and pre-season preparations have moved ahead.
“The club has engaged a South African based coach, who will bring a lot of experience to the club. His move will sanction the arrival of other foreign based players to form a formidable side.
“So, everything else is in place, the only question that will be answered in the coming few weeks is whether they find will proper sponsorship or not?”
