By MKHOKHELI ZIBENGWA
A recent development in Zimbabwean football has sparked widespread outrage and debate, with the franchise of newly promoted Premier League team ZPC Hwange FC being sold to Harare-based team MWOS FC.
According to Ezra Tshisa Sibanda, a seasoned journalist and football analyst, this move is a "football scandal of the highest magnitude". Sibanda took to social media to express his discontent with the deal, stating that it is a clear example of how money is having a negative impact on the sport.
Sibanda argued that the sale of the franchise is a blow to the development of football in the region and a disregard for the interests of the Hwange community. He also pointed out that this is not an isolated incident, but rather part of a larger trend of exploitation of smaller teams by wealthier clubs from other regions.
The journalist also highlighted the imbalance in representation in the Premier League, with the Southern Region being particularly hard hit. He called for urgent action to be taken to address this imbalance and ensure that the interests of all regions are represented.
Sibanda suggested that laws should be put in place to prevent club franchises from being sold to teams from different regions, and that franchises should only be sold within the same region.
The sale of ZPC Hwange FC's franchise has sparked a heated debate in the Zimbabwean football community, with many calling for reform and a more equitable distribution of teams across all regions.
