BLANKET Mine Football Club has assured supporters that its Premier Soccer League matches will be played in Gwanda next season, amid concerns over the town’s lack of a stadium that meets top-flight requirements.
The club’s promotion has renewed calls from football fans and residents for the development of a modern stadium to ensure Gwanda can host PSL fixtures.
“Our wish is that matches be played here. This is our fortress, and we want all the PSL teams to come here,” one supporter said.
Another resident called on the club’s management to move quickly on stadium construction plans. “We want the management to start constructing a stadium now,” the resident said.
ZIFA Central Region vice-chairperson Pithias Shoko also urged the club’s executive to ensure the team remains based in Gwanda for its home matches. “We urge the Blanket Mine executive to ensure that the dream of the people of this area lives; we would not want a scenario where a team in the central region ends up playing somewhere,” he said.
Pelandaba Stadium is in a poor state, while Sabiwa Stadium does not meet PSL requirements, raising questions about where Blanket Mine will host its home matches.
However, Blanket Mine General Manager Engineer Elton Gwatidzo said the club was working with ZIFA to ensure the fixtures are played in Gwanda.
“I want to promise the people of Gwanda that our league games will be played here in Gwanda; we are working with ZIFA and the plan is already there. We will ensure that this historic achievement will not be taken away from them,” he said.
Blanket Mine FC became the first team from Gwanda to secure promotion to the PSL after completing the season unbeaten.
Other teams from Matabeleland South that have previously featured in the top-flight league include Underhill, Triple B and Border Strikers. —ZBC Online.
