Online Reporter
Innocent Kurira, Zimpapers Sports Hub
BULAWAYO Chiefs were officially crowned Zifa Southern Region Division One champions yesterday, a day after being cleared of any wrongdoing in the Anesu Saiti transfer dispute that had threatened to overshadow their remarkable season.
The coronation capped a campaign that mixed dominance on the pitch with weeks of off-field controversy. Playing their final match at Chiefs Village, the Bulawayo outfit signed off in style with a 2-0 win, courtesy of goals from Lewis Milanzi and Jameson Masaza. The result underlined their superiority throughout the season and sealed their long-awaited return to the Premier Soccer League.
Their triumph had come under scrutiny when Hwange FC and Nkayi United lodged formal complaints challenging the eligibility of striker Anesu Saiti. They alleged that Saiti’s mid-season switch to Chiefs broke transfer regulations since he had already turned out for Bulawayo City earlier in the same campaign.
Saiti began the season at Bulawayo City on loan from his parent club, Black Mambas. After his contract was terminated, he joined Chiefs during the mid-season transfer window. Hwange administrator and Southern Region board member Khumbulani Mbano argued that Bulawayo City had not issued the necessary clearance letter, which, under Article 18.1 of the Zifa Rules and Regulations, would have rendered his registration invalid.
However, Zifa Southern Region chairman Lloyd Munhanga rubbished those claims, confirming that the transfer had been handled properly.
“There is no case. Everything concerning the player’s registration was done above board,” said Munhanga. “It was simply a matter of certain individuals misinterpreting our rules and regulations.”
After a review, the Zifa Southern Region disciplinary committee dismissed the complaints and cleared Bulawayo Chiefs of any wrongdoing. The ruling paved the way for their official crowning and ended weeks of uncertainty that had hung over the champions.
With the title secured and the controversy put to rest, Bulawayo Chiefs can finally celebrate their success and shift their focus to preparing for life back in the Premier Soccer League.
