Bafa prepares for kicks-off

Ngqwele Dube Sports Correspondent
THE Bulawayo Amateur Football Association has started registering teams for the 2014 season with the league expected to start at the end of the month.Bafa chairman Chris Mtungwazi said they would like to see an increase in the number of teams from last year’s six to 16.

“It was unfortunate that we played the league with six teams last year but we are making an effort to increase the number of clubs in the league this year to 16. The more teams we have the better as we play more games and obviously attract more interest from sponsors,” he said.

Mtungwazi said they have so far received commitments from 12 teams who have shown interest in taking part in the 2014 Bafa League.

He said last year’s six teams, Rebels United, NGA, Golden Hotspurs, West Park, Matabeleland High City and Mpilo United have indicated their willingness to continue in the league while Lion Stores, United FC, ZB Bank, Joshua Mqabuko Airport FC, Chuck Eleven and Paraguay will come on board.

Mtungwazi said registration is ongoing and clubs have to part with a $50 affiliation fee.

“We have set 27 April as the kick off date for the league with 24 April being the deadline for registration. We, however, encourage teams to register early to avoid disappointment as we might already have enough teams by the closing date,” he said.

Bafa’s Red Army, a team made up of footballers who play in the league, played a friendly game against Woodlands Warriors last Sunday as they sought to arouse interest in the league.Red Army won 2-0.