Chitembwe going nowhere – Jere

CAPS UNITED FC proprietor Farai Jere poured in close to US$800 000 to bankroll the team in the just-ended Castle Lager Premier Soccer League season, New Ziana has learnt.

Jere, who is also the Member of Parliament (Murehwa North) made the claim during his annual end of season meeting with the Green Machine’s registered membership in the capital at the weekend.

Jere, who never shies from providing the monetary figures of his financial involvement with the Harare giants, declared his readiness to continue the benevolence next season.

Makepekepe have not enjoyed corporate sponsorship since Jere acquired the team’s controlling stake from his erstwhile partner Twine Phiri in 2015.

Last year the Harare businessman and politician, in a briefing with journalists, challenged suitors to prove they could inject US$40 000 monthly into the Caps United project, equalling his own expenditure, if they wanted to take over ownership of the club.

Addressing Caps United supporters at their favourite rendezvous at Queens Hotel on Friday, Jere painted the picture of an outfit that had always been financially sound despite perceptions to the contrary in the football fraternity.

“CAPS was financially well- equipped. Zvese zvekuti kuteam hakuna Mari was just a speculation from saboteurs.

“We doubled winning bonuses from US$150 to US$300 for the last 10 games and players are up to date with all the their dues,” Jere avowed.

“Our salary bill is around US$20 000 per month.
Winning bonus is US$11 000 per week. Factor in US$6 000 that is the average singing on fees per player and another US$6000 we fork out for the travelling bill per match.”

He continued:

“Home ground hiring costs us US$1200 per season. When (Caps) won four games in a month it means monthly we parted with US$80 000.”

The net sponsorship from the figures Jere disclosed ranks Caps United as the fifth-best funded team in the country after the the two platinum miners FC Platinum and Ngezi Platinum and the community-owned duo of Highlanders and Dynamos.

FC Platinum reached a height of US$2 million sponsorship rights in 2019 when figures were last collated while Ngezi Platinum spent US$1.5m the same year.

Both Highlanders and Dynamos are sponsored to the tune of US$1m each per season by oil behemoth Sakunda Energy.

The average costs of running a PSL franchise are in the range between US$350 000 and US$500 000, as research has continuously shown.

Jere, on the other hand at the same meeting, said there was no money to fund a youth policy at the club.

“Junior teams must be re-established but the limiting factor is money,” he admitted.

“The only money available is to run the main team but we are working on it. We will possibly have a women’s team too.”

The club president further assured the Caps faithful of a better season in 2024.

“Everything is in place for next year. The money is there. The new kit will arrive in the country soon, tracksuits, bags etc. We have everything to do that.”

On other matters Jere endorsed coach Lloyd Chitembwe who had a run-in with supporters midway through the season following a spate of poor results.

“Lloyd is the best coach in Zimbabwe. He has a five-year contract and is not going anywhere.

“People said we have an old people’s home at Caps but we are not running an academy. We will give priority to capable players despite their age.

“There is no way I can let go a player like (Rodwell) Chinyengetere because you say he is old.”

Chinyengetere, two-time Soccer Star of the Year, missed selection this year despite a brilliant season in which he was crowned Player of the Month in the final month of the season in November.

In spite of a bright start, Caps United finished the season eighth with 46 points, 20 adrift of league champions Ngezi Platinum.