adminThe newly-promoted teams in the region — ZRP Morris Depot, Commando Bullets, Mushowani Stars, Foresters, Chegutu Pirates and Kariba Tigers — have forked out US$3 000 required per club as affiliation fees, as they prepare for life in the first tier league. Former Premiership sides Gunners and Blue Rangers have also confirmed their participation in the Northern Region this year as they seek an early return into the Premiership.
Yesterday, Northern Region administrator Andrew Javachava, said they were looking forward to another exciting league after a smooth league last season.
In the past, the region has had its fair share of controversy with league titles being won via the boardroom as wrangles took the centre stage nearly each and every year.
In 2011, Harare City had to be declared champions and given green light to compete in the Premiership only in January last year, after another Northern Region side DStv Rangers had lodged a complaint with Zifa that City had used an eligible player Webster Muronda.
“Last year was really good season for us. We didn’t have teams complaining against each other or disciplinary cases derailing us and we hope this trend will continue this year as we want football matches to be won on the pitch and not in the boardrooms.
“We would like to believe that an induction course we held early last year and was attended by all the clubs really helped us as everyone knew what was expected in line with Fifa rules. So this year we are looking at having another induction so that every club gets knowledge on how to conduct themselves.
“We are glad that incidents like walkovers or match abandonments are now things of the past and as NRSL we strive to be a professional entity and have competitive teams gaining promotion into the Premiership,” said Javachava.
It is promising to be a competitive season for the Northern Region teams with teams such as Twalumba Holdings, Power Master and Dstv expected to battle it out for the sole Premiership ticket. From the newcomers front, teams such as Mushowani Stars and ZRP Morris Depot can also cause an upset.
Online Reporter