Online Reporter
Curtworth Masango
Zimpapers Sports Hub
A LEGAL battle is brewing over the sale of 2025 Eastern Region Soccer League champions Hunters’ franchise, with Harare City and N’ombeyawora both vying for the Marondera club’s stake.
Hunters had won promotion into the Premier Soccer League after winning the ERSL’s sole ticket to the top-flight.
But it later emerged that the Marondera outfit do not have the capacity to play the game at the elite level, where ZIFA and the PSL are looking to be stricter on adherence to the Club Licensing requirements from this year.
In fact, ZIFA have been under growing pressure from both FIFA and CAF to ensure implementation and adherence to the professionalisation of the domestic game in line with the international trends.
But before they deal with the Club Licensing compliance issues, ZIFA and PSL have a matter that could turn ugly which they would have to help resolve — that of allegations being levelled against Hunters director Andrew Gore for “double dealing’’.
Northern Region Soccer League sides Harare City and N’ombeyawora claim they had separately entered into agreements with Hunters for the sale of the ERSL club’s franchise.
Allegations are that Hunters had agreed to sell their franchise to Harare City for $600,000, but N’ombeyawora on their part made a rival bid, in which the NRSL runners-up reportedly paid $250,000 upfront for the deal.
N’ombeyawora are also understood to have promised to renovate Rudhaka Stadium in Marondera as part of the deal.
Having been enticed by the carrot dangled by N’ombeyawora, Hunters then terminated their agreement with Harare City, citing delayed payment.
Revelations of Harare City’s intentions to buy a football club franchise had also sparked outrage among the capital’s residents who claim the funds could be better spent on public services.
It forced Harare City Mayor Jacob Mafume to also make a public denial of the intention to buy the Hunters franchise.
However, the Sunshine Boys maintain the $600 000 agreement they had entered with Hunters still subsists, arguing that its termination was un-procedural.
It is against this background that the PSL have indicated that they will seek clarity from ZIFA after receiving conflicting letters from Hunters.
A source close to the wrangle said: “Harare City received a termination of contract which they believe was un-procedural. The club believe they didn’t do anything wrong for them to have their contract terminated.
“Harare City was already signing players and engaging coaches whom they believed were going to help them compete in the top-flight and make several adjustments to secure their home ground.
“At the moment the club is still deliberating with its leadership as to what procedures to take, it should be, however, noted that the house is at the moment divided with some arguing to have the issue left in abyss, while another section is pushing on litigation against FC Hunters.”
It also emerged that soon after Hunters secured their position as ERSL champions in November last year, N’ombeyawora who had narrowly missed out on Premiership promotion after being pipped by Agama went on a hunt for a PSL franchise to buy.
They then established that Hunters were struggling financially and could put their club on sale.
N’ombeyawora then made contact with Hunters.
“Everything was set for a takeover, but the deal was far from becoming real as there were a lot of middlemen on the deal.
“There was a plot to swindle the majority of the cash and leave a few dollars for the club. Due to several red flags along the way, the deal was put to a halt, and thus, Harare City entered into the fray with a straightforward proposal and clear mandate.
“But the Harare City deal was then countered after N’ombeyawora offered to renovate Rudhaka Stadium and paid cash upfront, with Harare City yet to pay.
“The contract between Harare City and Hunters didn’t mention a time-frame for the payment, making Harare City believe that their contract is still valid and that they are mandated to participate in the Premier League,” added the source.
PSL chief executive officer Rodwell Thabe confirmed the controversy stemming from the two conflicting letters he received from Hunters.
Thabe confirmed that one letter confirmed
