Online Reporter
Lovemore Dube, Zimpapers Sports Hub
HIGHLANDERS will participate in this year’s Chibuku Super Cup, despite persistent claims on social media suggesting they had been banned.
Bosso were drawn against Herentals in the round of 16 during Thursday afternoon’s draw held in Harare, putting to rest the rumour mill that had painted the country’s most followed football club as disqualified.
Commenting after the draw, Premier Soccer League acting CEO Rodwell Thabe clarified that Highlanders had never been expelled from the competition.
“They were expelled by social media,” said Thabe. “We read the reports too. The matter was taken to a disciplinary committee which, in its learned opinion, found there were contributing factors that led to the abandonment. There is nowhere in the judgment where the team’s suspension is stated.”
He added: “We all read it on social media and not from the disciplinary committee, which sat as a court to preside over the matter. So they are in.”
The controversy stems from last year’s abandoned Chibuku Super Cup match in Shamva, where Bosso refused to continue playing after a penalty was awarded to Simba Bhora for a foul that occurred well outside the box. The match could not proceed as Highlanders players refused to take positions for the penalty to be taken.
According to PSL rules, a team that causes a match abandonment is supposed to be excluded from the tournament the following year. However, Thabe said “changed circumstances” around the disciplinary process meant the rule did not apply in this case.
So, despite the widespread condemnation online, neither the PSL nor its disciplinary committee ever issued a ruling expelling Bosso.
Meanwhile, Thursday’s draw also delivered a historic low for Dynamos, who will, for the first time, have to go through a qualifying round to enter the tournament proper.
The bottom four teams as of Week 17 will play in preliminary matches, to determine the two sides that join the last 16.
Dynamos will clash with Yadah, with the winner set to face Simba Bhora in the first round. Triangle United face Kwekwe United in the other preliminary, with the winner to meet Ngezi Platinum Stars.
Full Chibuku Super Cup Draw:
Simba Bhora vs Yadah/Dynamos
MWOS vs Caps United
Scottland vs GreenFuel
FC Platinum vs Manica Diamonds
Ngezi Platinum Stars vs Triangle/Kwekwe United
ZPC Kariba vs Chicken Inn
Herentals vs Highlanders
