In Zim, all that glitters is gold

FOR Zimbabwe, 2024 is a year where all that glitters is certainly gold.

They say prices of gold on the international market leapt to record levels this year, as people put their money in a mineral that is considered a safe haven for investment, especially as many continued to be concerned about the health of the global economy.

However, the price of other commodities, such lithium and platinum, fell to worrying levels, and with them, fortunes of those whose lives and livelihoods depend on them.

The same trend was mirrored in local football.

Over the past few years, teams owned by platinum miners — Ngezi Platinum Stars and FC Platinum — have enjoyed a stranglehold on the Castle Lager Premier Soccer League.

A Ngezi side led by young Takesure Chiragwi clinched it last year.

Before that, FC Platinum had been ruthless.

Their triumph in the 2021/2022 league marathon made it four championships in a row and graduated the team into an elite league of local football aristocrats, including Highlanders and Dynamos, which had achieved the same remarkable milestone.

Bosso accomplished the same feat in 1998/1999, 2000, 2001 and 2002, while Dynamos turned up the power in 2011, 2012, 2013 and 2014.

But this all changed this year, as Simba Bhora, a team with the “Midas touch”, were crowned champions in their second season.

For those who might not know, the expression “Midas touch” is from Greek mythology, which tells the story of King Midas, the ruler of Phrygia, who, because of the assistance he had provided to a god, was granted his long-cherished wish to turn everything he touched into gold.

Well, for Simba “Buju” Ndoro, the owner of the eponymously named Simba Bhora, everything he has touched this season has turned into gold.

It is the same with Pedzai “Scott” Sakupwanya, owner of Scottland FC.

Bra Shakes is not exactly sure whether Scottland FC have indeed been promoted into the top-flight or the appeal made by Karoi United over a boardroom decision to hand over points to the former is still pending.

The situation was as clear as mud on Friday evening.

This, however, is neither here nor there.

It is the emergence of clubs bankrolled by cash-rich individuals that is a bright spot for local football, particularly insofar as the welfare of players is concerned.

Winning bonuses of over US$1 500 were dangled to Scottland FC players, who are also set to receive cars plus a whopping US$1 million for their efforts.

It is a development that has excited many in the football fraternity, including Zimbabwe national team captain Marvelous Nakamba, who expressed himself on his X handle last week.

“I would like to send my best wishes to Scottland FC ahead of their final game on Friday.

“To the owner Scott Sakupwanya, thank you for uplifting, supporting and changing lives for the players and not forgetting the help you give to the national team,” wrote Nakamba on Wednesday evening.

The arrival of Scottland FC in the Premiership could be interesting, as they join a league that also has millionaires financing stable clubs.

Ndoro, Herentals FC owner Innocent Benza and Walter Magaya of Yadah are some of the wealthy individuals complementing efforts by corporates such as Mimosa, Zimplats, Zimbabwe Consolidated Diamond Company (ZCDC), Zimbabwe Power Company, TelOne, Chicken Inn and GreenFuel.

Players deserve to be paid handsomely as their careers are usually short.

They need a healthy bank balance to see them through when their playing days are behind them.

It would be a welcome development if more players were to earn the kind of money reported to be US$5 000 per month Khama Billiat is getting at Yadah.

Worldwide, wealthy individuals and business consortiums are taking over football clubs, most of which have benefitted immensely from this development.

Sheikh Mansour of the Abu Dhabi family has transformed English Premier League side Manchester City into a global giant.

American billionaire Stan Kroenke has a majority stake at Arsenal.

Nasser Al-Khelafi of Qatar owns Paris Saint-Germain, who are the most successful team in France.

The trend is also visible in Africa.

Patrice Motsepe is one of the richest men in South Africa with an estimated net worth of almost US$3 billion.

He owns Mamelodi Sundowns, who have won the South African Premiership title since 2014.

Moise Katumbi’s exploits with the Democratic Republic of Congo giants TP Mazembe are well-documented.

In Zimbabwe, cash-flush individuals are also gradually changing the narrative in football.

The 2025 Castle Lager Premier Soccer League could be an interesting battle, with the arrival of the highly ambitious Scottland FC, among other strongly supported sides.

Indeed, money can buy happiness.

But the emergence of these rich clubs threatens to push traditional, but fading giants Dynamos, Highlanders and CAPS United further to the peripheries of local football.

Until next time.

Peace!

Yours Sincerely,

Bra Shakes.