adminRicky Zililo Senior Sports Reporter
ZIFA Southern Region boss Musa Mandaza is “praying” for all the clubs competing in his Division
One Soccer League to overcome their financial challenges and fulfil all their matches until the end of the season.The tough economic environment is threatening most clubs’ existence in the lower leagues as well as in the topflight.
Already, two clubs – Zimbabwe Saints and Hwange’s Kabwe Warriors – have been expelled from the Zifa Southern Region Division One Soccer League after failing to pay their affiliation fees on time.
There are growing fears that some of the clubs in the 14-team league might withdraw due to resource challenges and yesterday Mandaza made a passionate appeal to the corporate world to assist them and save the sport.
Mandaza is of the school of thought that believes the Division One Soccer Leagues can effectively contribute towards the success of the national teams.
“The truth of the matter is that clubs in our league and even those in the Premiership are struggling for finances. First of all I would like to applaud individuals and companies that are bankrolling teams in our league as they are supporting a key area of developing talent for future national teams.
“We are trying as much as we can to lure would-be sponsors and we remain hopeful that one of these days we will be able to get sponsorship. I am praying hard that the clubs survive this storm and make it to the end of the season,” said Mandaza.
The Zifa Southern Region Division One Soccer League last had sponsorship in 2010 when Gift Banda, now the deputy mayor of Bulawayo, was the chairman. Through his influence, Banda managed to bring on board Buscod Supermarkets whose presence eased some pressure from clubs as they took care of referees’ fees as well as administration costs which were being levied on clubs.
Mandaza said his leadership is intent on “nursing and nurturing” clubs so that they have a fine product which they can present to the corporate world.
“We are working on creating a good brand that can attract sponsors in the midst of all the challenges that clubs face. As it is we are happy with the level of competition that is in our league as well as discipline showed by the clubs. I must commend clubs because to this day we are yet to sit for any hearings related to pitch invasions or matches being abandoned which is the way to go because sponsors don’t want their names to be dragged in the mud,” said Mandaza.
Turning to the league programme, Ntabazinduna Prison, coached by legendary striker Agent “Agira” Sawu, sit on the top of the table with 21 points from 10 matches and tomorrow they play host to Hwange Juniors at Ntabazinduna.
The league pacesetters are four points above second placed Plumtree Chiefs who have played two games less than Ntabazinduna Prison.
Plumtree Chiefs will begin life without head coach Thulani “Thuts” Sibanda, who has been transferred to the ZRP’s national sports desk where he will be in charge of soccer in Harare, when they take on Black Boots at Unit Fairbridge tomorrow.
One of the weekend’s must-watch games in the Zifa Southern Region Division One Soccer league is that of Technosphere and Tsholotsho to be played in Hwange tomorrow.
Tsholotsho are the only team yet to lose this season and sit on position three with 16 points, just one above Technosphere.
Fixtures
Tomorrow: ZPC Hwange v Mpumalanga (Hwange), Technosphere v Tsholotsho (Hwange), Portland Cement v New West (Portland Cement), Ntabazinduna v Hwange Juniors (Ntabazinduna), Elephant FC v Trumus (Brad Barracks), Black Boots v Plumtree Chiefs (Fairbridge)
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