adminThe match will now be played at Rufaro Stadium tomorrow.
A dark cloud hung over the town on Tuesday and all you could see were sad faces as fans tried to come to grips with the sad news of missing Champions League action.
Chief Mapanzure, Chief Mafala, Chief Mazvihwa and Chief Hwedza held a Press conference and slammed Caf’s double standards.
“Caf has double standards and we are surprised why they refused to have the match played in Zvishavane.
“They have deprived the community and our children the chance to watch one of Sudan’s top teams in action with FC Platinum as we feel it could have given the children the passion to take soccer seriously,” said Chief Mapanzure.
He said as traditional leaders they wanted to thank the Government for the positive steps they took in availing planes to FC Platinum to fly the visitors.
“It is just disturbing that the organisation called Caf is not considerate and they do not want soccer to be spread. We can’t have our people paying $50 to travel to Harare.
“We are now calling upon the business community to come to Zvishavane and build a hotel here. The hotel is not to cater for soccer only but there are a lot of activities here because of the mines surrounding the town,” said Chief Mapanzure.
Fans took turns to slam Caf.
Henry “Dzama” Moyo, a staunch Shabanie Mine fan and electrical dealer in the town, said Caf were insensitive to the feelings of soccer fans.
“It’s very shocking and they are acting like capitalists. They have failed us and they have failed the nation. FC Platinum had provided planes but they still insisted that the match cannot be played here.
“God will be on our side and FC Platinum will win. It is a pity that I can’t travel to Harare but I wish the team well,” he said.
Tawedzera Moyo, a vendor in the town, said this was bad not only for Zvishavane but for football in general.
“It is very bad for our town. We were going to watch top-class football on display but all the attempts by Zifa and FC Platinum have hit a snag and it’s very painful,” saidMoyo, a DeMbare fan.
Shabanie Mine coach, Luke “Vahombe” Masomere, also joined the chorus.
“Mandava Stadium is the home ground for FC Platinum and they must play there whether they win or lose. I feel the Caf decision is not fair,” said Masomere.
A spiritual leader in the town, Pastor Zhanje of the Baptist Church, also questioned Caf’s decision.
“We want people here to watch football because we can’t ferry fans to other towns. Saka varombo havachaona bhora here?” he asked.
He said as Zvishavane community, they were praying for FC Platinum to win .
A prominent Zvishavane businessman, Clever Pote, who runs a chain of supermarkets in the town, was not amused by the Caf decision.
“FC Platinum and Zifa have done their best and it is our turn to show them what we are made of in two weeks time. We must demand to play in a neutral country as there is war in Sudan,” said Pote.
Online Reporter