adminNgqwele Dube Sports Correspondent
NDOLWANE Super Sounds lead singer Martin Sibanda has come to the rescue of Women Super League club New Orleans and assisted them pay their registration fees to play in the women’s top flight league for this year.New Orleans risked being kicked out of the league after failing to raise the required funds upfront before they could be included in the fixtures by Zimbabwe Women Football.
One of the club’s directors Khanyiso Mafika Bhebhe said they managed to pay the registration fees late after Sibanda teamed up with a local businessman only identified as R D Mpunzi to fork out the $550 affiliation and player registration fees.
Bhebhe said they had managed to jump one hurdle and were now looking at securing funds to fulfil fixtures.
“We have not played yet because we paid the registration fees late but the ZWF secretariat informed us they will be altering the fixtures to accommodate us and we will start playing this coming weekend.
“We are grateful to the two gentlemen who assisted us pay the fees as we were lost on where to come up with the cash. Our hearts are still in football but sponsorship is hard to come by. The league is unbranded this year and with no prizes in store we are most likely to survive on donations,” he said.
Bhebhe said Sibanda and Mpunzi saw them playing at a tournament in Nyamandlovu and were impressed with their football skills and once they knew of the team’s plight they did not hesitate to offer assistance.
He said they did not agree to further sponsorship but the two men expressed their willingness to continue supporting them in whatever way they can.
Sibanda had donated a kit to New Orleans, however, the team decided it would be best if they hand it over to Mbonqane Secondary School as the colours were in contrast with those they usually use.
“Our colours are red and black but Sibanda had given us a yellow kit. We then decided to give it to the school because we have ‘fished’ some pupils from the school, hence we have a good relationship with them,” said Bhebhe.
The start of the Super League was delayed by late payment by most clubs with some arguing they had to first get an explanation on what happened to the affiliation fees they paid last year as no ball was kicked in the top tier of women football.
The new administration, led by Miriam Sibanda insisted on clubs paying again for the new season.
Sibanda said they have not yet received proof of payment from New Orleans but they have been in talks with the club.
“We have been talking to the club and because we want as many clubs to play we have left the door open for them and once they have given us proof they have paid then they can be put in the fixtures,” she said.
The previous Mavis Gumbo-led board secured sponsorship from diamond mining firm, Marange Resources in 2012 but poor management of the funds led to the withdrawal of the sponsorship.
Online Reporter