Caf cast dark cloud over Zvishavane

matches.
Caf ordered Zifa to advise FC Platinum to look for an alternative home ground for their next match against El Merreikh of Sudan.
The Cairo-based organisation said the absence of hotels, good enough to accommodate visiting teams and match officials in Zvishavane, violated the regulations related to the hosting of Champions League matches.
Although FC Platinum hosted Green Mamba of Swaziland in a Champions League preliminary round tie at Mandava, the visitors camped in Masvingo, which also hosted the match officials.
Yesterday Zvishavane football fans were united in blasting the Caf leadership following their latest directive.
“We have a better place here where they can sleep, for example the Asbestos House,” said Kerifanos Chivhoyo, a staunch Shabanie Mine fan.
“Queen Elizabeth once slept at Asbestos House and our government ministers always sleep there. What is so special about a player coming from a country like Sudan? Caf is now confusing us and travelling a distance of 97km is not something special.
“FC Platinum did a great job to refurbish Mandava Stadium. We are rivals in the local league but when it comes to the Champions League, we are one, and I hope Zifa will do their best because we want to watch the Champions League here.”
Bheki Chitondo, the FC Platinum community relations officer, said it was ironic that Caf were now raising concerns when they were about to host a team from North Africa.
Interestingly, the same Caf leadership did not raise similar concerns when FC Platinum were hosting a Southern African team — Green Mamba.
“It is a shock to the Zvishavane community, in particular the Mandava residents where the stadium is housed,” said Chitondo.
“If Green Mamba came and played at Mandava Stadium in the same tournament, what is so special about El Merreikh?
“This is clear call to all Southern African teams to support each other in the next Caf elections so that we have the president coming from the Southern African part of the continent.
“I would like to thank (Zifa chief executive Jonathan) Mashingaidze for his efforts to spread football into the small towns of Zimbabwe and I hope one day we will win the Champions League.”
Match Commissioner Kayijuka Gaspard, a Rwandan national who rejected FC Platinum’s officials to land in Bulawayo, which is nearer Zvishavane, instead of Harare, wrote a damning report.
Obert Sithole, a vendor in the town, questioned why the goal posts were being shifted for FC Platinum when Shabanie hosted St Michel of Reunion in 2001.
“We are still within the range of 200km from the airport. They can be booked in Bulawayo or Gweru,” said Sithole.
“When Shabanie played St Michel in 2001, where they not using the same rules?
“I do not support FC Platinum as my heart is with Shabanie but when it comes to the national cause we are one team.
“I smell a rat on the issue and it’s a pity that Caf is not based in our region.
“This is now all part of the mind games being played and I think Caf is also being used by some teams in North Africa. Why are we paying this price?
“Is it because we went against Issa Hayatou’s wishes at some point?”
The Zvishavane business community should also look at itself in the mirror as questions remain as to why they have           failed to build a three-star hotel in the         mining town instead of concentrating on lodges.