Kiglon to fly to BF?

Premiership tie against Highlanders at Barbourfields rather than in Harare as part of a move to raise funds.
The modest Harare club was yesterday boosted by the news that young striker Ngoni Maviri, who has been on trials at South African champions Orlando Pirates, had passed the test.
The 19-year-old striker returned home yesterday, after being offered a pre-contract by the Bucaneers, and is expected to play for Kiglon against CAPS United today.
Kiglon, who were put on sale by owners last year but could not get a buyer, have been struggling to raise funds to foot the costs of their Premiership campaign.
The club is owned by Harare businessman Arthur Chitunhu with Dondo, who also has a stake in which he pours money into the team, being the chief executive.
Kiglon, who will host CAPS United at Rufaro today, said they were contemplating moving their tie against Bosso to Barbourfields.
The Harare side will first meet Bosso, in an away tie, at Barbourfields in Week 15, the last match of the first round assignments.
Then Kiglon are expected to host Bosso, in their next match in back-to-back encounters, in Harare. But Dondo said they will be writing to PSL chief executive Kenny Ndebele to be given clearance to host Bosso at Barbourfields.
“For us it makes sense to go to Bulawayo, where the Highlanders’ fan base has been growing with each passing week, when we play our home match against Bosso,” said Dondo.
“We are saying to the PSL that we will raise more money, which will help us to fund the club in a very difficult period, if they allow us to host Bosso at Barbourfields.
“Statistics have shown that there are more fans now watching the Highlanders matches at home and we want to tap into that market so that we make a little bit of money for our players and our operational costs.
“I believe that as chief executive, it is my job to try and find ways, all the time, of raising funds for the club and I think the Bosso game, in Bulawayo, is good for us and we are exploring that avenue.”
Dondo said he did not believe such a move will kill the spirit of Fair Play where Highlanders are also expected to travel and play away from home in the league.
“When you consider that we play Dynamos at Rufaro, whether we are home or away, then you can see that there is nothing wrong with us playing Highlanders in Bulawayo, home and away, if at the end of the day it makes economic sense,” said Dondo.
“We live in difficult times and our challenges are well documented and we believe when an opportunity arises, where we can make an extra dollar that can help the club, the PSL executive should be flexible.
“We are excited about this project because what it means we will only have to invest a little bit in the hotel costs for the players since we have our own team bus.
“But the expected returns from the gates will cover all those costs and will leave us with more money than if we play the game at Rufaro.”
Dondo said they were also considering a similar move for their home game against FC Platinum.
Kiglon will first travel to Zvishavane for a tie against the platinum miners in Week 14 and will then host them at home in Week 17.
But Dondo doesn’t want that match to be played in Harare but in Zvishavane.
“It’s also about trying to make a little more money because this game, in Harare, will attract less than 100 people and will be a loss-making game,” said Dondo.
“But if we go to Zvishavane, with the support that is there for our opponents, we are assured of coming back with about US$5 000 or so and, for a small club like ours, it makes a very big difference.
“It’s the other option we are exploring and we hope to get the greenlight from the PSL.”
The Kiglon CEO said his team had miraculously survived, after losing its key players to Dynamos, and he was certain they will also beat CAPS United today.
“We are typical giant killers and we showed that against Dynamos and I believe we will do the same against CAPS United,” said Dondo.
“We are not under pressure and we can only promise those who will come to back us, and we know there will be many on our side, a good game and a committed team that will fight all the way.”