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Takudzwa Chitsiga
Sports Reporter
AS clubs are set for the resumption of the ZIFA Division One Soccer League next month, the clubs appear divided over their preparedness, for the big splash.
In the ZIFA Northern Region, clubs owned by the uniformed forces are still intact while a few ambitious ones, like Simba Bhora, say they are ready. Some community clubs are saying they are in a fix. Simba Bhora team manager, Paul Ndombo, said they never looked back when they gained promotion, and have maintained contracts of their players.
“I am so happy that finally we can have a running league, we were in touch with the players and they are also happy with the news.
“We were just waiting for the right time, for sport to resume, and we are hopeful that it will run smoothly.
“Most of the players we had registered are still in touch with us and we are trying our best to make sure that we retain most of them,” said Ndombo. Chinhoyi Stars are singing a different chorus, with their manager, Adam Makwanya, saying they were in a fix, as most of their players have resorted to other means of survival. “It is a difficult time for us but we will try our best. We love the game but we appeal to the Sports Commission, and the Government to help us, as we cannot go it alone, as clubs.
“Most of our players have turned into illegal mining, and farming, so we need to start from scratch.
“We need to have a recruitment drive for new players as we have lost a generation.
Some clubs, which are expected to be stable, include Black Mambas, Blue Swallows, Beta XI, Golden Valley, Herentals Under4-20, Commando Bullets, Ngezi Platinum Under-19 and Harare City Cubs. It was resolved that the 2021 season gets underway on October 29 and is expected to run until the end of May 2022.
There shall be a christmas break between December 17 and 27.
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