adminSikhumbuzo Moyo, Senior Sports Reporter
TWO teams have pulled out of the Zifa Southern Region Division One league ahead of the official season kick-off this afternoon.
Victoria Falls-based Trumus and Nust said financial constraints have forced them to withdraw from the league. Nust has returned its franchise to Trumus, who have informed the Zifa Southern Region leadership that they were selling it to former Premiership giants Zimbabwe Saints.
“Trumus have thrown in the towel and they told us on Monday that they are selling their franchise to Zimbabwe Saints. However, selling a franchise is not done by just word of mouth or a mere letter like what they did,” said Zifa Southern Region boss Musa Mandaza.
He said some documents had to be first signed by the buyer as an undertaking that they would meet the league’s requirements.
“Trumus owe the league about $1,200 and surely they can’t just sell their franchise when they’re not in good standing with Zifa, and this is why we are saying documents must be signed in the presence of Zifa that whoever is buying the franchise will also take over this debt,” said Mandaza.
He said although Nust did not owe the league anything, they only informed Zifa about their decision on April 5.
As a way forward, Mandaza said the league might revert to a 16-team campaign, but that decision would only be made after this weekend’s games.
“We are going to meet as a board and come up with a decision of either having 16 teams in the league or inviting one team each from our two feeder provinces, Bulawayo and Matabeleland North,” said Mandaza.
Meanwhile, it’s all systems go in the Southern Region Division One League this afternoon with eight fixtures in Bulawayo, Hwange and Victoria Falls.
Perennial league title favourites, Bulawayo Chiefs, Bantu Rovers and Technosphere all have tricky fixtures in their season opener.
Coach Thulani Sibanda’s Chiefs are home to Makomo, under the guidance of Tapera Ngwenya, while in Hwange, the Weekly Mwale coached Technophere begin with a derby against new boys ZRP Hwange. Johannes Ngodzo’s Bantu Rovers invade the coal mining town this morning for a clash against ZPC Hwange.
Zifa Southern Region Division One fixtures;
Ntabazinduna v Talen Vision; ZPC Hwange v Bantu Rovers; ZRP Hwange v Technosphere; Highlanders Academy v Amagagasi; Hwange Under 20 v Vic Falls Tigers; Indlovu Iyanyathela v Black Boots, Byo Chiefs v Makomo
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