adminRicky Zililo in Bulawayo
YET another knockout tournament is still on the cards for the domestic Premiership with the draw for the second edition of the NetOne Top Eight tournament set for this week. The PSL have pencilled in November 14-15 as the dates for the quarter-finals in a move that also confirms that the tournament will be staged this year. Triangle United are the defending champions having beaten Dynamos 4-3 on penalties in last year’s inaugural final at the National Sports Stadium.
NetOne came in as the top eight tournament sponsors with the mobile telecommunications company replacing financial institution BancABC last year. They signed a three-year deal with the PSL which is worth $500 000 but is also subject to review every season. With the 2015 season approaching its end, the staging of the top eight tournament had appeared in doubt but the PSL have allayed those fears in a memo sent to the clubs.
According to the memo, the league confirmed that the competition is on. “We are pleased to announce that, barring last minute hiccups, the NetOne Top Eight competition will be played this year. We will advise you about the draw date and other matters related to the competition in due course,” reads the PSL memo to the clubs.
The PSL also advised clubs that the semi-finals would be played on the first weekend of December, a week after the end of the league season. The final of the NetOne Top Eight is set for December 12.
This means that teams that made last year’s top eight should brace themselves for a busy programme leading to the end of the PSL calendar year. Teams that made it into the top eight last season are champions Dynamos, ZPC Kariba, CAPS United, FC Platinum, Highlanders, Chicken Inn, Hwange and How Mine.
Holders Triangle United finished ninth and have no doubt missed on the chance to defend the title as the cut off pint is on How Mine who ended the 2014 season on eighth place. Triangle also walked away $80 000 richer for winning the trophy while runners-up DeMbare pocketed $50 000 and the two semi-finalists each received $30 000.
Teams knocked out in the quarter-finals took home $20 000. PSL chief executive officer Kennedy Ndebele referred all questions to the sponsors. NetOne spokesperson John Nyashanu, however, said they would issue a statement regarding the tournament this afternoon. “Unfortunately I can’t say much about the tournament now but I’m sure if you call tomorrow afternoon I will be able to comment,” Nyashanu said.
Online Reporter