Eastern Region in false start

Senior Sports Reporter

Zifa Eastern Region Division One was forced to postpone the first round of league matches last weekend after only a total of 12 teams paid affiliation fees. Although fixtures were not readily available, the league is now expected to commence this weekend. Eastern Region secretary, Simba Wisdom, confirmed that only 12 teams paid affiliation fees out of the 18 teams that are expected to partake in the 2016 season.Wisdom said they were forced to reschedule first round league matches to this weekend.

“We were forced to reschedule first round league matches to this weekend after only 12 teams paid affiliation fees. We are hoping that come this weekend a considerable number, if not all, would have paid their affiliation fees.

“We are aware of the harsh economic conditions, but we are urging clubs to come forward with their payment plans so that league action resumes.

“As we speak, Hartley Academy and Ruwa Gunners are some of the teams that were having challenges in paying their affiliation fees. We will draft the final fixture after seeing who is in and who is out later in the week,” said Wisdom.

By the time of going to Press, it was also not clear whether Masvingo United had managed to raise the required affiliation fees from last season, the legal fees incurred by the region during their ill-fated court case as well as registration fees for players.

“Masvingo, like we said before, are provisionally suspended awaiting ratification by council. However, we have the right as an executive committee to lift the suspension if they pay the remaining $1 950 affiliation fees from last season.

“They are also required to pay $500 costs of the lawsuit that we incurred when they took the matter between them and Mutare City Rovers to court.

“Apart from that we are also expecting them to pay $600 player registration fees and that is when we can only expect them to play in the league,” said Wisdom.

A total of nine matches had been lined up last weekend at different venues across the three affiliate provinces – Manicaland, Mashonaland East and Masvingo.

New entrants, Africa Trust have shown character in a number of friendly matches that they played ahead of the start of the season and they were only edged 1-2 by struggling Premiership new boys Mutare City Rovers last Saturday at Watsomba.

The borehole drillers boast of a number of fine players in Mutasa Central constituency where gifted players lack a platform to showcase their talents.