Four Division One clubs face expulsion

ZIFA Southern Region spokesperson Blessing Mbwanda has revealed that four Division One clubs CIWU, Indlovu Iyanyathela, DRC and Binga Pirates are facing the axe amid revelations that they are not in good standing with the league.

The clubs are said to be owing the league substantial amounts of affiliation fees which they were expected to pay in full in the past season.

In that regard, Mbwanda said they have since written to the four clubs to remind them that they owe the league.

Affiliation fees in the league range from US$1 500 to US$2 500 for both new clubs and the league’s returnees.

“With our annual general meeting (AGM) set for March 23 at a local hotel, we have also made it known to them they will only attend the meeting as observers because they are not in good standing. All the other teams that make up our constituency will be expected to take part,” said Mbwanda.

Last season, the league was forced to discard former Premier Soccer League (PSL) side Zimbabwe Saints, Mountain Climbers and Emakhandeni Pirates for failure to pay their affiliation fees and fulfil fixtures.

Mbwanda said they have accepted ex-PSL side Bulawayo City to rejoin the league.

“Bulawayo City wrote to us last year just before Christmas seeking to rejoin the league. Considering we lost three teams last year and it was a year that Bulawayo City failed to regularise themselves after getting demoted from PSL, we have since accepted them back to our Division One football,” said Mbwanda adding that the league’s fixtures programme is expected to start a week after their annual general meeting.

Bulawayo City last played in PSL in the 2022 season and were relegated after a dismal campaign.

The following year the team opted not to play in Division One citing financial constraints.

Late last month the club held trials at Crescent Sports Club with Gift Lunga (Jnr), Mandisi Nyathi, Mduduzi Mpofu and Donald Mutali taking charge.

The club has previously provided a home to well-known local football players including Zephaniah Ngodzo, Douglas Sibanda, Xolisani Moyo, Zibusiso Sibanda, Kelvin Madzongwe, Chris Samakwere, Melikhaya Ncube, Vincent Moyo, Elshamar Farasi, Welcome Ndiweni and Dominic Jaricha among others.

Coaches that have taken charge at the club include Try Ncube who is with Highlanders, Darlington Dodo, Philani “Beefy” Ncube, Johannes Ngodzo and Farai Tawarechera just to mention but a few.

-@FungaiMuderere