THE return into the premiership by relegated teams is never easy, since several teams that have been relegated from the top flight have usually sunk into oblivion.
In other leagues in the world, teams may get relegated and return to the elite after decades but the story is different for Zimbabwe.
Talk of Sporting Lions, Eiffel Flats, St Paul’s, Mangula, Highfield Tornados, Mwana Africa, Njube Sundowns, Underhill, Amazulu, Kiglon, Highway, Shooting Stars, Tripple B and Hardbody, among others who were once premiership sides but are either defunct or sold their franchises.
Four teams were relegated in the premiership last year.
Tripple B, Monomotapa, Black Mambas and Motor Action are now plying their trade in the less fashionable Division One.
Beitbridge-based Tripple B only had a dance in the premiership in 2013 while Hardbody FC was relegated in 2012.
Both teams are from the Central Region Division One.
Tripple B merged with Town United in Beitbridge while Hardbody failed to register in the Central Region this season.
Tripple B followed Underhill who were relegated in 2007.
Relegated teams from the premiership normally die a natural death as the sponsors in most cases fail to continue bankrolling the teams while players opt to leave the clubs to join other premiership sides.
Mwana Africa made headlines during their time but the former champions are no longer on the football radar.
The Bindura-based side were relegated in 2007.
Sporting Lions are now part of the football history while Amazulu are now defunct.
The recently relegated teams might never rise again and make the grade into the premiership.
Eiffel Flats formerly Rio Tinto from Kadoma produced several stars like Ephert Lungu, Robert Godoka, Joseph Zulu, Jimmy Gilpin and Raphael Phiri but are now in the doldrums.
They were relegated from the top flight twice and now they are not even in the First Division. Mhangura which later came back into the premiership as Hackney are now defunct.
Zimbabwe Saints are now part of the Southern Region Division One League after demotion from the top flight in 2011.
Zimbabwe Saints were chopped together with Masvingo United, Shooting Stars and Kiglon.
Gunners were relegated two years ago and are playing in the Northern region but are finding the going tough. They lost their first match together with Black Mambas who are now ZRP FC. Motor Action too are finding the going tough in the First Division.
But why is it difficult for teams to return?
Pundits say soccer in Zimbabwe is not lucrative like in other countries.
The local leagues do not give returns to clubs instead the clubs spend more than the prizes they get for playing in the league.
The list is endless of teams that have sunk into the football dustbins. It’s a sad story for the development of local football as continuity is good for the game.
However, teams with strong financial backing can survive in the less fashionable Division One and manage to return.
Black Rhinos, Chapungu United who were axed from the premiership in 2008, Black Mambas and Buffaloes have managed such a feat as they are part of the uniformed forces.
One hopes that the teams will give their all to survive the chop as returning to the top flight is no easy task.