Online Reporter
Veronica Gwaze
Zimpapers Sport Hub
PREMIER Netball League find themselves embroiled in a huge boob, as they stand accused of “fraudulently” crowning Harare City Queens as runners-up of the season.
The situation unfolded in Bulawayo where ZDF Queens lifted the championship for the second time running after completing the season unbeaten.
The Defence Forces Queens bankrolled outfit, bagged a remarkable 60 points in 30 games.
While the ZDF Queens’ triumph was undisputed and celebrated, a bone of contention emerged between Harare City and Chapungu who were eventually placed second and third respectively.
Both sides accumulated 54 points from 27 wins and three defeats throughout the campaign.
However, according to records possessed by Zimpapers Sports Hub, Chapungu had a superior goal difference over the Municipality side.
Records show that Chapungu netted 1746 goals and conceded 653 to have a goal difference of 1093.
Harare City on their part scored 1702 goals while letting in 616 for a goal difference of 1086.
It is on the basis of those statistics that Chapungu believe they should be awarded the silver medals.
But it was Harare City who instead placed second.
“We are not happy with what happened and as a result, our bosses have suggested that we return the medals,” said Chapungu, in respect of the bronze they got.
“We are already in the process of returning the medals, we have to engage the league and hear what they say.
“The good thing is that we have statistics from the first up to the last game of the season so we need them to explain how they reached this decision.”
Interestingly, even some Harare City officials who chose anonymity acknowledge that they have an inferior goal difference to Chapungu.
“We were expecting to be crowned as bronze medallists but to our surprise we were announced as first runners up,” said an official who refused to be named for fear of victimisation.
“If there is anyone answerable to this issue, it is definitely not us, PNL should give answers, not us.
“Maybe an error happened somewhere because on the last day of the season there was a lot of activity, and they may have mixed up things.”
PNL spokesperson Innocent Ndiya, however, insisted that Harare City Queens are the legitimate runners-up.
Instead, Ndiya blames social media content creators for peddling false information.
“People got it wrong out there, contrary to what is making rounds on social media, Harare City are the first runners-up.
“We did not make a mistake when we crowned them,” he said.
However, the league spokesperson could not produce the current log standings despite a request having been sent to him.
In fact, the league has not made public the final log table of the season, raising some questions on their transparency.
As clubs wait for the outcome of this controversy, how PNL handle the situation could have lasting implications for the reputation of the league and its commitment to fair play and sportsmanship.
