adminRicky Zililo Sports Reporter
BULAWAYO rugby enthusiasts will have to wait for another week to witness the derby between Western Panthers and Matabeleland Warriors after the cancellation of all National Rugby League matches. Semi-final spot seeking Matabeleland Warriors and Western Panthers were supposed to clash at Bulawayo’s ceremonial home of rugby, Hartsfield Stadium, tomorrow.
In a telephone interview from Harare yesterday, the National Rugby League chairman Noddy Kanyangarara confirmed the cancellation of all weekend fixtures.
“We decided to cancel all the league matches because Old Hararians and Harare Sports Club are competing at an invitational tournament in Zambia on Saturday.
“This is a crucial time in terms of the league competition as we are approaching the end of the season and we want all matches involving teams that are vying for the semi-finals to be played on the same day to avoid cheating.
“We are left with Week 13 and 14 before we move to the semi-finals,” said Kanyangarara.
Old Hararians, Old Georgians and defending champions Harare Sports Club have already qualified for the semi-finals with the last slot being competed for by Old Miltonians and Matabeleland Warriors.
Old Hararians who are second on the log with 54 points from 12 matches were supposed to take on Old Miltonians in Bulawayo tomorrow while Harare Sports Club were expected to travel to Midlands for a date with Gweru Sports Club.
Old Miltonians are fourth on the log with 25 points, two ahead of their city rivals Matabeleland Warriors and their remaining encounters are against Old Hararians and defending champions Harare Sports Club.
Matabeleland Warriors are left with relatively easy games against Western Panthers and log anchors Zvishavane Bulls.
“I think it was good for the league management to cancel all matches so that every remaining weekend we have must-win games in place. It would have been unfair to Old Miltonians if we had played and won this weekend,” said Rueben Kumpasa, the Matabeleland Warriors’ coach.
Online Reporter