Defaulting clubs pay up

Lovemore Zigara, Midlands Correspondent
THREE Zifa Central Soccer League clubs which had their games forfeited last week for failure to settle affiliation fees, have finally paid their dues with the league. Correctional services side Whawha, league newcomers Chomumvuri Pirates and Nkayi United last week failed to fulfil their fixtures against Tongogara, Silo United and Blanket Mine respectively after the Central Region board ordered the clubs to settle affiliation fees in full before they could be allowed to play.

Whawha chairperson Musa Ntonga said the club had paid outstanding arrears on Tuesday while Nkayi United chairman Dumisani Mantoni said his side paid yesterday.

Chomumvuri Pirates also paid the outstanding fees yesterday.
League board member, Stanley Chapeta confirmed that the three teams had paid the affiliation fees and their matches will go ahead.

“It is true that they have paid affiliation fees and have been fixtured to play this weekend,” he said.
Whawha will take on Zvishavane Stars at Mandava tomorrow while Chomumvuri Pirates travel to Gwanda for a date with Blanket Mine.
Nkayi United make the long trip to Beitbridge where they clash with police outfit, ZRP Beitbridge.

In other matches, army side Tongogara will be hoping to continue their fine run when they host FC Platinum Under-19 at the army grounds at Battlefields.

Head coach Ignatius Kapitapita said it will be a tough match against the young platinum miners.
“It is going to be a tough match considering that FC Platinum have been playing well lately but we are hopeful that we will collect maximum points,” said the former Black Rhinos player.

Kapitapita said his side was targeting a top four finish although his first mission is to ensure that the team survives relegation by mid season.

Fixtures:
Today: Chrome Stars vs MSU (Mbizo), Vumbachikwe vs Gweru City (Pelandaba), Tongogara vs FC Platinum (Battlefields), ZRP Beitbridge vs Nkayi United (Dulibadzimu), Gaths Mine vs Silo United (Gaths Mine)

Tomorrow: Zvishavane Stars vs Whawha (Mandava), Blanket Mine vs Chomumvuri Pirates (Blanket)