Online Reporter
Veronica Gwaze
Zimpapers Sports Hub
CONTROVERSY is brewing in Zimbabwean women’s football following a contentious ruling by the Zimbabwe Women’s Premier Soccer League (ZWPSL) Disciplinary Committee (DC) concerning the abandoned fixture between Herentals Queens and Kwekwe United Queens.
The reigning league champions, Herentals Queens, were set to host Kwekwe United on April 26 in their third match of the season. Originally scheduled for the National Sports Stadium B Arena, the match was suddenly shifted, at the eleventh hour, to Tomlinson Depot.
This last-minute venue change, which defied ZWPSL regulations, caused immediate uproar. Upon arrival, Kwekwe Queens refused to play, citing multiple breaches: an unplayable pitch, lack of proper goal nets, no visible pitch markings, and no designated technical areas.
The ZWPSL Disciplinary Committee stepped in, and their ruling has only added fuel to the fire.
Herentals Queens were found guilty of several infractions and slapped with a US$750 fine.
“After thorough investigation, the Committee found Herentals Queens in breach of Article 2.4 and 2.4.1: The home team failed to stop activities on two grounds they had designated, resulting in a fine of US$500,” reads the ZWPSL statement.
“Article 2.4.3.1: The home team failed to secure a suitable venue for the match as the ground was unmarked, resulting in a fine of US$200. “Article 13.3: The home team failed to confirm the match on time, resulting in a fine of US$50.
“As a result, Herentals Queens have been fined US$750.”
The fine is to be settled within 14 days, in accordance with Article 5.2 of the league’s regulations.
However, the DC’s decision to order a replay of the match, tentatively rescheduled for April 28, has sparked major backlash.
“The match between Herentals Queens and Kwekwe Queens will be replayed at a suitable venue . . . All match expenses, including those of Kwekwe Queens, are to be met by Herentals Queens,” the statement further ruled.
Kwekwe Queens are not accepting that outcome quietly.
“The ruling is not fair and we have started the process of submitting an appeal within seven days,” said Tapiwa Nyanzira, Kwekwe United administrator.
“By making Herentals pay a fine, it means that they were found guilty, so why order a replay when there has been a clear violation of the regulations?”
Others in the women’s football community echo Nyanzira’s frustration.
“With these kinds of verdicts, you ask yourself if the DC is independent or not.” So pathetic not to follow simple league regulations that they set in the first place,” said Jerrymike Gumbo, a women’s football administrator.
“This is unfair. The decision clearly protects a particular side here and it is bad that the DC had to breach their own rules and regulations,” added Ntokozo Ndlovu, another administrator.
According to ZWPSL rules, any club that fails to fulfil a fixture, especially after giving less than 72 hours’ notice, should forfeit the match and award full points to the opposing side.
Section 17.0 of the league’s statutes outlines that a match is only eligible for replay if abandoned due to natural causes such as inclement weather or unforeseen infrastructural failure.
In such cases, the match resumes from the minute it was halted, ideally with the same match officials at a venue approved by the Executive Board.
Section 14.0, which governs match postponements, explicitly states that “failure to secure a venue” does not qualify as valid grounds for rescheduling.
Herentals officials also failed to carry out a mandatory venue inspection 48 hours before kick-off, another breach of protocol.
Additionally, the sudden venue change gave Kwekwe no time to prepare, yet another violation, as league policy demands at least 48 hours’ notice for such amendments.
In light of all these breaches, Kwekwe United argue they should have been awarded three points and a 3-0 walkover victory.
Past precedent in the league supports that claim: when matches fail to kick off due to administrative lapses or walkovers, the aggrieved team is typically awarded maximum points.
With the spotlight now firmly on the ZWPSL Disciplinary Committee, all eyes will be on the outcome of Kwekwe’s appeal.
