adminBULAWAYO teams in the women’s Super League are on a collision course with Zimbabwe Women Football Association as they do not intend travelling to other towns to fulfil fixtures.
The clubs, Inline, New Orleans and Burrow Jets have cited financial problems as their reason for not travelling.
Sources revealed the clubs informed the executive over the move which is likely to throw women football’s top tier into disarray.
“While there is willingness to play games by the teams, the financial situation is a stumbling block and the league does not have a sponsor to fund the teams’ costs as was the case in 2012.
“I think the other problem is the executive rejected a noble suggestion of splitting the league into two regions to make travelling distances manageable for clubs and instead want to continue on a single national league despite that clubs highlighted the financial pressures they are going through,” said the source.
ZWF chairperson Miriam Sibanda, however, said clubs had only requested to be paired with home town teams while the executive runs around for sponsorship.
“It was agreed that it would be difficult to get sponsorship when games are not being played hence it was decided that teams in the same vicinity play each other first while we seek funding.
“However, we can’t stop playing because it would defeat the whole purpose of having started the league and if teams fail to fulfil fixtures they would be sanctioned according to Zifa regulations,” she said.
“While we understand clubs are in financial distress we have to try and play in order for us to attract the attention of sponsors,’’ said Sibanda.
Last month the ZWF boss confirmed they rejected the proposal to split the league into two saying such a move would defeat the purpose of having a national league as they would change to regional leagues.
Sibanda, however, felt there were clubs whose errant behaviour turns away potential sponsors, adding some were cancelling games at the last minute for flimsy reasons.
“We understand transport costs are high for everyone but there are three or four teams that seem to be truant and are seeking excuses not to fulfil away games every now and again.
“If we are genuine about seeking sponsors then we should be serious about being organised but there seems to be lack of commitment and integrity from some clubs,” she said.
Sibanda said they met as a board on Tuesday and resolved that clubs should face the full wrath of the Zifa statutes if they fail to fulfil their fixtures.
Meanwhile, Botswana footballers, Lebogang Setereke and Refiloe Tshambani are set to turn out for Auckland Queens after receiving their work permits.
The duo joined Auckland at the beginning of the season last month but they had not yet completed the immigration formalities.
Auckland Queens head coach Jerry Gumbo said the team sought foreign talent to boost competition for places in their squad as the new arrivals play for the Botswana national side.
This is Setereke’s second stint in the country after the 23-year-old midfielder spent seven months at Cyclone Stars in 2012 while 20-year-old Tshambani is still waiting for her debut match on foreign land.
Both players rose through the junior national team structures and they currently play for their national side.
Back home Setereke used to play for Gaborone based Township Rollers and Tshambani played for Vicomates FC.
This is not the first time Botswana players are turning out in the Super League as Inline Academy were the first team to host a female footballer from across the border when Bonang Bebeto turned out for the Bulawayo side in 2011.
Online Reporter