Of late, Zimbabwean football has seen the rise of young and energetic football club owners among them Shepherd Chahwanda of Hardrock, Patrick Tamson of Mwos, and Scott Sakupwanya of Scottland.
Chahwanda and Sakupwanya — in particular — have brought excitement to the Zimbabwean game with their lavish spending on player bonuses and on the player market.
However, there have always been question marks over how long they will last in the Zimbabwean game as many like them have come onto the picture —raised spirits — only to disappear without trace.
Surely, some still remember Joel Serengedo of Shooting Stars, Beadle Musa Gwasira of Lengthens, Binali Yadhi of Highway –amongst others — who took the game by storm only to disappear without trace.
Gwasira once returned this time not as club owner but as treasurer of Dynamos Football Club but has now moved to Scottland where he holds the less important post of club vice chairman.
Over the years, the only man who has managed to keep his feet on the ground is Caps United owner Farai Jere who for over 20 years has managed to stand the test of time in the game.
Anyone who knows Zimbabwean football well will tell you that since his arrival at Caps United in 2003 -- as partner to Twine Phiri -- Jere has been a typical example of a professional club owner who has not shirked his responsibility.
Surely, 23 years as a football club sponsor is not a joke especially in a hostile economic environment like ours.
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It would surely be something to write home about in football should Sakupwanya and Chahwanda clock just about half the 23 years Jere has been the Caps United financier.
In fact, we will surely stand up, celebrate, and take notice, should Chahwanda and Sakupwanya still be in football in the next five years.
It would be good if they stay on for longer because Zimbabwean football needs them for this newly found entertainment and excitement to continue.
Surely, Jere has been the standout actor but there are a few others who have also played their part not least of which is Walter Magaya who has been Yadah's financier since 2017 and Innocent Benza who has been at the helm of Herentals in the Premiership since 2018.
In fact, the 18 teams in the Premiership saw Jere's commitment, and dedication to the game and leadership qualities and in 2020 voted him the Premier Soccer League's chairman up to 2024.
He could still had been the head of the top flight league but decided to relinquish his post to contest the Zifa chairmanship post but was unfortunately disqualified on a technicality.
That is now history but Jere will go down into the Zimbabwean football history books as one of the most committed and dedicated football club owners to emerge from this country.
Jere would also be proud to stand up and say, with his financial support, Caps United won three league titles in 2004, 2005, 2016 and reached the group stages of the Caf Champions League in 2017.
He would also be proud to reveal that just like Hardrock and Scottland, Caps United are offering competitive salaries and bonuses that have helped attract players from across our boarders and even further.
Surely, we now have a new breed of enthusiastic and ambitious football club owners but the question is : for how long will they stay in the game ?
Will they be like Jere. Or what we are seeing are just speeding cars that will soon run out of fuel?
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