adminSao Paulo was the last team standing in the Zifa Southern Region Division One Soccer League from the resort town.
Sources who spoke to Chronicle Sport said the club had faced serious financial challenges such that they could not travel for their away games.
They said the executive members could not secure funding from corporate bodies in Victoria Falls.
“Things have been bad for Sao Paulo as they did not have a sponsor from the start of the season. They ran around trying to get something but failed to clinch a deal and now the club has collapsed.
“Actually, this is a sad development as there won’t be any Division One club in Victoria Falls this season,” said a source.
Sao Paulo was the only team from the resort town that was in the league following relegation of Zambezi Lions and Kujatana Falls United last season.
Zifa Southern Region Division One Soccer League secretary general Brian Moyo confirmed that Sao Paulo were on the verge of collapse after failing to turn up for their last weekend away game against Rufaro Rovers in Hwange.
“It is unfortunate that lack of resources has led to Sao Paulo facing difficulties in fulfilling their matches and from what I hear they might be out of our league soon.
“They failed to get resources to assemble a team and fund their away matches. To date they have played two matches while others are in Week Five,” Moyo said.
According to the league’s rules and regulations, any club that is walked over for three consecutive matches will be booted out.
Last season the fine for failing to turn up for fixtures was $500.
“We will continue fining teams that do not fulfill their games. Our rules are clear and the clubs are aware that if they fail to turn up for three consecutive fixtures they will be struck off our league.
“So, in the interest of football and fair play we urge teams to try and fulfill their games,” Moyo said.
Meanwhile, Chinotimba Rovers has swooped on Sao Paulo players with its spokesman Tafadzwa Mutiwa declaring that they are gunning for the championship.
“Almost all the players that were with Sao Paulo are now with us at Chinotimba Rovers which is in the Zifa Matabeleland North Division Two League.
“We are very much confident of making it to Zifa Southern Region Division One. We hope the Victoria Falls community will rally behind us because for a town like this not to have a Division One Club is not right. Actually we should be having a Premiership club here,” said Mutowa.
Online Reporter