Online Reporter
Zimpapers Sports Hub
CASTLE LAGER Premier Soccer League newcomers Kwekwe United have entered into a formal partnership with South African football academy Hellenic FC, in a move the club describes as a major milestone in its long-term development plan.
The Memorandum of Understanding (MoU), signed this week, will see the Cape Town-based Hellenic FC provide technical support, coaching exchanges, and open pathways for young Zimbabwean footballers to access international opportunities, particularly in Europe.
“This strategic partnership marks a major milestone in the club’s growth and a bold step forward for youth football development in the Midlands province and Zimbabwe as a whole,” Kwekwe United said in a statement.
Hellenic FC Academy is widely recognised as one of South Africa’s leading football development institutions, with a proven track record of producing players capable of transitioning to professional leagues abroad.
Under the agreement, Kwekwe United and Hellenic will collaborate on training programs, technical development, and youth player exposure initiatives. The partnership is also expected to offer potential commercial benefits for the Zimbabwean club through future player transfers and scouting visibility.
Kwekwe United, currently bottom of the PSL standings, have struggled to find stability in their debut top-flight campaign. After earning promotion from the ZIFA Central Region Division One last season, the club has been battling financial difficulties, inconsistent training sessions, and player welfare concerns.
Club owner Phil Makekera recently confirmed that the team is still in the process of settling signing-on fees for several players and has made a public appeal for sponsors or investors to come on board.
“We want to turn Kwekwe United into a football business, not just a self-funded passion project,” he said.
The club recently appeared before the PSL Disciplinary Committee following their failure to travel for a scheduled fixture against Herentals College on April 21. The league charged the club under Order 31 of its rules for failing to fulfil a fixture and for conduct deemed damaging to the reputation of the league.
Despite the operational challenges, Kwekwe United believe the Hellenic FC partnership signals a shift toward a more structured and sustainable football model.
“This partnership is expected to unlock new opportunities for players to pursue professional careers abroad while also generating much-needed revenue to help sustain and develop the club,” the club statement added.
