DeMbare, Bosso, CAPS mega deal

◆ guarded secret,’’ the sources said.

“This could be the game changer. Remember these guys have been crying out for the corporate hand at least to be able to compete with the new corporate-owned teams that have emerged as the new dominant forces in the Premiership of late because of their huge financial muscle.

“Football is more exciting when the big three are competitive. NetOne are even putting in something for the signing on fees to help the teams beef up their stocks,” said the sources.

An official from NetOne confirmed negotiations had taken place but insisted that there was no deal as yet.

The company’s chief operating officer Clever Isaya said it was premature to talk about the deal at the moment.

“Of course discussions have taken place but nothing has been finalised yet.

“It’s still premature,” said Isaya.

However, the coming on board of NetOne should be a huge relief especially to Dynamos and Highlanders following the expiry of their contracts with long time partners BancABC on December 31.

BancABC had been catering for players’ salaries and providing transport and camping costs in a marriage that begun back in 2011 and the financial institution, to their credit, stuck with the two clubs in good and bad times.

But owing to the economic challenges facing the nation, last season they decided to slash their sponsorship by half after having gone a step further by extending their relationship by another season.

The imminent deal is also welcome to the CAPS United family as the Green Machine has been hobbling along without partners which led to them losing the soul of the side that won the championship in 2016.

Makepekepe have lost over half dozen players including Ronald Chitiyo, Ronald Pfumbidzai, Abbas Amidu, top goal scorer Dominic Chungwa, big goalkeeper Edmore Sibanda and could lose more during the current off-season break.

The situation is the same at Dynamos where the likes of Peace Makaha, Obey Mwerahari and Tichaona Chipunza are still pondering their future with the club following the expiry of their contracts last month.

Highlanders have already lost their captain Rahman Kutsanzira to FC Platinum after the midfielder revealed his frustrations to the club management.

But all that could change with the mobile telecommunications company, which has turned its fortunes around in the past few years coming on board.

NetOne have been growing at a very fast pace and have targeted football as a potential partner to grow their brand.