Online Reporter
Fungai Muderere, Zimpapers Sports Hub
Futsal Zimbabwe is set for a landmark moment this Saturday as it holds a full-house congress in Bulawayo — a gathering poised to shape the future of Five-A-Side football in the country and usher in the launch of the sport’s first-ever National League.
National Five-A-Side chairman Philani Banda, confirmed all is in place for the pivotal meeting.
“We are very happy that everything is now on course ahead of our Futsal Congress that will be held in Bulawayo on Saturday (tomorrow),” said Banda.
He added: “We are expecting all the local and regional leadership chairpersons to be in attendance. It will be a historic day that will also see us launch our first-ever Five-A-Side Soccer National League in Zimbabwe.”
The league will kick off with 10 teams — five each, from the Southern and Northern Regions.
“As a country, we have never had a Five-A-Side (Futsal) National League. So, we will be introducing that league for the first time,” Banda explained. “For now, we are promoting the top five teams from each region and from next year, it will be an issue of promotion and demotion. We will relegate two teams and promote two, with a vision of growing the league to 16 teams in the next few years.”
The Southern Region League features defending champions Amabhubesi FC, Young Boys FC, Bombers FC, South Wonder FC, Nedbank FC, Goboys FC, Fox FC, Entumbane Stars FC, Mzilikazi FC, and TNS FC.
The Northern Region League comprises 401 FC, 16 Views FC, Chibhobho FC, Tace Mundi AC, Kilworth United, Gelens Stars FC, Real Stars, Bundu Boys, Sunshine, and TFC Roger.
Banda said they are laying a solid foundation for a smooth roll-out of this year’s campaign.
Five-A-Side football is played with five players per team — four outfield players and a goalkeeper. It differs from traditional 11-A-Side football with smaller pitches, smaller goals and shorter match durations. Games are typically played indoors or on enclosed artificial turf that keeps the ball constantly in play.
Unlike the full version of the game, there are no offside rules, headers are allowed,and the penalty area is semi-circular, with only the goalkeeper allowed to touch the ball within it. Yellow and red cards operate similarly to those in standard football.
— @FungaiMuderere
