THE honeymoon could be over for Castle Lager Premier Soccer League giants Dynamos and Highlanders with their Sakunda sponsorship deal expiring at the end of next month.
Sakunda have not engaged the two clubs over the extension of the sponsorship deal while the clubs themselves have surprisingly not inquired with the energy company whether there are plans for a contract renewal.
The parties signed a US$5million deal three years ago where the company would finance the team’s players and staff salaries, allowances and signing-on fees as well as administration expenses.
The cash injection ended financial woes that the clubs had been facing which brought stability, with the two sides’ results improving as they pushed for titles.
Dynamos finished second on the Castle Lager Premier Soccer League table last season and could well finish in the top three again this term after pushing Ngezi Platinum Stars, at the top of the log and Manica Diamonds sitting on the second spot.
Highlanders had a brilliant run in the first half of the season going 19 matches unbeaten but they lost their momentum in the second part owing partly to injuries.
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The two clubs’ players had become the best-paid players in the local topflight.
Highlanders had been struggling to pay their players and the deal came as a shot in the arm as football resumed after COVID-19-induced break.
The structure of the agreement saw Sakunda providing US$420 000 towards the payment of salaries for players and the technical team.
Each club would also receive US$60 000 each year as signing-on fees. Armed with that package, Dynamos managed to compete in the transfer market signing some of the most exciting players while Bosso chose to draw players from its junior structures.
With the lucrative incentives, Bosso signed expatriate coaches who helped the team improve on standard of play even though they fell short of winning the league title.
There was a huge incentive to win the league title with a promise of a further US$200 000 for the club that would have won the league title and US$150 000 bonus for qualifying into the Caf Champions League.
The petroleum giants also provided funds for the day-to-day running of the clubs.
Sakunda Holding boss Kudakwashe Tagwirei bought a house for the late Dynamos legend George Shaya’s family worth US$120 000, while prominent coaches Moses Chunga and Madinda Ndlovu were each promised a house worth $90 000. On top of that, Tagwirei gave each club two vehicles for the coaches and captains.
Announcing the package, Sakunda said they chose to fund the clubs so that they can run professionally.
“The financial package is expected to assist Dynamos and Highlanders football clubs to meet their expenses and obligations such that they run their businesses as professional football clubs.
“To this end, Sakunda Holdings is committing to paying each club US$890 000 annually (to be paid in ZWL equivalent) over the next three years.
“This means for the next three years, Sakunda Holdings will give financial assistance to the two clubs to the tune of US$5,3 million,” the company said in a statement.