Online Reporter
Innocent Kurira [email protected]
THE fallout from the abandoned Castle Lager Premier Soccer League clash between Hardrock and Dynamos continues to widen, with league sponsors Castle Lager stepping in while Hardrock FC have suspended their chief executive officer, Kudzanai Hove, indefinitely.
What began as ugly scenes at Chahwanda Stadium has now drawn in sponsors, club leadership and football authorities, piling pressure on a league that has been trying to improve its image.
In a strongly worded statement yesterday, Castle Lager said it was deeply concerned by recent incidents of crowd trouble, abandoned matches and injuries linked to league fixtures.
“As a longstanding partner of the PSL, Castle Lager strongly condemns all forms of violence and unsportsmanlike behaviour, both on and off the field. The safety of fans, players, match officials and all stakeholders remain paramount,” read part of the statement.
The sponsors said football has traditionally brought communities together and warned that recent incidents were taking the game away from those values.
Delta Beverages, through its Castle Lager brand, said it was engaging PSL leadership while awaiting the outcome of investigations into the disturbances. “We urge all involved to act decisively and transparently to restore confidence in the game,” the statement added.
Castle Lager said the investigations would help establish what triggered the violence and guide long-term measures to make matchday environments safer.
The sponsor’s intervention shifts the focus. This is no longer just about disciplinary action or a single abandoned match. Once sponsors publicly speak out, attention turns to the league’s credibility, confidence in its product and whether local football is protecting its commercial value. The sponsor’s intervention came hours after Hardrock announced Hove’s indefinite suspension pending investigations.
In a statement issued by club communications and media liaison officer Bruce Chikuni, Hardrock said the move was meant to allow investigations to proceed without interference.
“Hardrock FC leadership has resolved to suspend Mr Hove for an indefinite period pending the outcome of the ongoing investigation,” read the statement.
The club also moved quickly to distance itself from the violence that overshadowed one of Kwekwe’s biggest football occasions in recent years.
“We strongly condemn all acts of violence and vandalism. Such conduct is contrary to the values of the club and has no place in football,” said the club.
Hardrock said it would work with police and football authorities to ensure those responsible are held accountable.
The club also apologised to supporters, the football community and members of the public over the events that brought the match to an abrupt end.
Before the chaos, Chahwanda Stadium had been buzzing.
Thousands of supporters packed the venue, forcing kick-off to be delayed by 20 minutes as more fans outside continued pushing to gain entry.
Dynamos looked set to take all three points after sustained pressure from the visitors forced Misheck Ngwenya into putting the ball into his own net.
Hardrock responded after the break and drew level in the 68th minute when Wilfred Madzungu converted from the penalty spot after referee Magare Mhaka ruled that Shadreck Nyahwa had handled the ball inside the box.
Moments later, the match descended into chaos.
Objects were reportedly thrown from the terraces as tensions escalated. Some supporters invaded the pitch while riot police moved in to restore order, before match commissioner Ruzive Ruzive later confirmed the abandonment.
The spotlight now extends beyond Chahwanda Stadium. Questions over crowd control and matchday security remain, with football authorities under increasing pressure to safeguard the league’s credibility.
Sponsors are watching. So are supporters.
The irony of this whole drama, especially the comment from Castle Lager, is that probably most of these hooligans were drunk from Castle Lager, the beer and it’s associated brands. Delta Beverages brews beer, a potent drug that everyone knows, and it advertises for people to take as refreshment particularly during times when people are relaxing and having a good time. Castle Lager knows what people do when they get drunk yet they sponsor games that drunken people come to watch, or where people drink while watching. Isn’t it hypocritical for Delta Beverages to wade into these issues then? Delta Beverages is a contributing party to such mayhem. We can’t allow corporates to run away from responsibility simply because they are the ones putting money into the game. They are also to blame. Alcohol is a drug and influences people to misbehave.