A feeling of ecstasy engulfed the gold mining town of Kwekwe as premiership football marked its return to the city with the promotion of Kwekwe United.
The 16-year jinx of no premiership football in Kwekwe was finally broken a fortnight ago when Kwekwe United were promoted into the top flight with a match to spare.
The crowning moment for Kwekwe United was done last week amid a carnival atmosphere in the gold mining town.
Formed 10 years after the relegation of Lancashire Steel, the last team to play in the top flight, Kwekwe United will give the football-loving city a taste of top-flight football once again.
The city is regarded as one of the country’s football talent hubs having produced the likes of late Dream Team star Paul Gundani, Luke Petros Jukulile, Norman Komani, Petros Sibanda, Malvern Nyakabangwe, Stephen Alimenda, Washington Arubi, Tafadzwa Dube and Jutsice Majabvi among many others.
Kwekwe United Club president Phil Makekera could not hide his joy of having his team returning premiership football to the mining town of Kwekwe.
“We are so excited about the prospects of playing football in the premiership. What is more exciting for the city as whole is bringing back premiership to Kwekwe, Makekera said.
“Everyone is really excited about what the recent developments; the City of Kwekwe is ecstatic.”
Kwekwe United have written their own piece of history by having both the men’s and women’s team's gaining promotion into the top flight for the 2025 season.
“What makes our year more exciting is that we are the only club to have both the women’s and men's teams promoted into the top flight in a single season,” said Makekera.
Set to be the flag bearer of the mining town, Makekera revealed that both teams will not be in their respective top flight leagues for a short term.
“Premier League is very tough but our immediate plan is to stay up,” said the club president.
Former national team midfielder, Justice Majabvi who rose through the ranks of junior football development in Kwekwe and went on to play for Lancashire Steel before moving to Dynamos, ended up playing beyond the country’s borders.
An excited Justice Majabvi told The Sports Hub: “Kwekwe has one of the best football talents, it's quiet huge, it is central and most people access it easily. It's high time that talent is supported and nurtured, of course with the new premiership team we are likely to see the unearthing of talent in the city.”
“Kwekwe United need to look at football development from the grassroots, it will help sustain the club in terms of player's recruitment, Lancashire Steel FC had such good vibrant junior structures, many players were nurtured and produced from such a system," he added.
“I hope many people in Midlands will support Kwekwe United in all aspects.”