By Fanuel James
Harare City have sealed their return to the Castle Lager Premier Soccer League after thrashing Jumbo Giants 3-0 to clinch the MCM Estates Northern Region Soccer League title at Callies Ground.
The Sunshine Boys’ final-day victory ended a four-season exile since their relegation in 2022.
However, the celebration has reignited a long-running debate over whether a struggling municipality should be funding professional football.
The Cost of Football vs. The Cost of Services
The history of council funding for the club is one of repeated controversy.
In 2017, then-Mayor Bernard Manyenyeni said council had blown US$6 million chasing football.
That money, he argued, could have bought 60 garbage compactors to serve the entire city for 10 years.
In 2022, council rejected a proposal to inject US$2.23 million into Harare City FC for just six months.
Councillors argued that the city needed only US$400,000 to buy several refuse trucks.
In May 2023, Mayor Jacob Mafume cut funding entirely, citing operational irregularities and a lack of funds.
At the time, the club was said to require more than US$500,000 annually.
Critics say the pattern has not changed: football gets funded while basic services collapse.
Service Delivery In Crisis
The City’s own 2027 budget figures underline the strain.
The Proposed 2027 budget stands at US$818.3 million, with US$369.5 million (45.16%) for water and sanitation.
However, revenue collection efficiency as at 30 September 2026 stands only at 58% which means nearly half of that may not be available.
Meanwhile, salaries consumed 52% of ZiG7.297 billion spent between January and September 2026, while capital expenditure implementation was only 30.75%.
This is another significant area of concern which has dragged for years.
Abandon Project
Residents and civic groups have repeatedly called for the sports project to be abandoned.
They argue football is not a core council mandate.
Club chairman Dr Simon Muzviyo has, however, credited steady leadership and financial stability for the club’s success this season.
Unlike previous promotion campaigns derailed by cash shortages, the club enjoyed relative calm off the pitch.
Supporters of the project say top-flight football restores the city’s pride and gives young players a pathway.
Opponents counter that promotion will only deepen the burden on ratepayers unless the club becomes self-sustaining through sponsorship and gate takings.
For now, the Sunshine Boys will celebrate but the real test may not be on the pitch.
It will be whether the City of Harare can justify funding a Premiership club while basic services remain in crisis.
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