adminThree weeks are left before the curtains come down in the Castle Lager Premier Soccer League and Dynamos are in the driving seat.
Hwange is challenging the decision by the Zifa Appeals Committee to award Dynamos maximum points for the 4-2 loss to Dembare in May. They played this match without their coaches Nation Dube and Mebelo Njekwa who were assaulted by DeMbare’s bouncers before kick off.
The coalminers played the game under protest with kit manager Andrew Zulu and fitness trainer Kenneth Nyape taking charge of the game as Dube and Njekwa had been rushed to hospital.
The Premiership’s disciplinary committee had nullified the result and ordered a replay at a neutral venue and the Harare giants were to foot the costs of that game.
Dynamos took up the matter with the Zifa Appeals Committee which ruled that the result should stand.
In a telephone interview from Harare yesterday, the Commercial Arbitration Centre chairman Muchadeyi Masunda said they were ready to deal with any matter as long as Zifa paid the required deposit.
“We are ready to deal with the case once they pay the deposit. We told them (Zifa) in no uncertain terms that because of past experience they have to pay a deposit upfront before any case is heard. If they pay the deposit, then we will speedily deal with the case because we are on standby.
“Actually we have discussed the issue here before and we believe it is only fair that this case is dealt with before the end of the season because people want to know the winner. What we are saying is that the ball is in Zifa and the clubs’ courts,” Masunda said.
Hwange are in the relegation battle and should they pay the arbitration fee and win the case, they can get a lifeline to stay in the Premiership.
If the arbitration also rules in favour of the coalminers, Dynamos’ championship hopes will take a slight knock.
The colliery spokesman Burzil Dube said they had since paid the arbitration fees and were waiting to be advised about the hearing dates.
“What we want is for justice to prevail in the spirit of fair play. Zifa advised us that we should pay a deposit of $1 500 which we did last week. We even sent proof of payment to Zifa and we were advised that we must keep our heads of argument ready for the hearing,” Dube said.
The Zifa chief executive officer Jonathan Mashingaidze confirmed that the coalminers paid the required deposit.
“It is true that Hwange have paid. I assigned someone to notify the Commercial Arbitration Centre last Friday before leaving for my rural home for a funeral. I will find out from the office in the morning and please do get in touch with me tomorrow evening,” said Mashingaidze.
He said as Zifa they also wanted the Hwange-Dynamos matter dealt with soon to avoid complications in as far as the Premiership race is concerned.
The issue is of concern to Highlanders because the verdict has a bearing on the log standings.
Online Reporter