Online Reporter
Veronica Gwaze-Zimpapers Sports Hub
CHAPUNGU Queens insist that they are returning their Premier Netball League medals following a scandal in which they were crowned the bronze medallists instead of silver.
The Air Force of Zimbabwe outfit were announced as second runners up of the season, behind leaders ZDF Queens and Harare City respectively.
This followed a good PNL campaign in which ZDF completed with 60 points to their name, without tasting defeat.
Harare City and Chapungu amassed 54 points each with the former said to have then benefitted from their superior goal difference.
However, trouble ensued shortly after the crowning moment when the league was accused of handing Harare City with the silver medals instead of bronze.
Records correlated by Zimpapers Sports Hub and some teams over the season show that Chapungu netted 1746 goals, conceded 653 to have a goal difference of 1093.
On the other hand, Harare City scored 1702 goals, let in 616 with a goal difference of 1086.
Based on the figures, Chapungu are the rightful silver medallists.
Yet, for days, the league would not release their official standings. It was until media follow-ups that they later released the log table, which, however has different figures.
Based on their (PNL) standings, Harare City have a 1288 goal difference while Chapungu have 1259.
However, their response has not helped matters as Chapungu are in the process of returning the medals. “We are not backing off, our employer needs things to be rectified so both parties are in communication to this effect,” revealed Chapungu. Remember that we are also answerable to our benefactor so they are demanding answers and the league has to provide those answers.
“We respect PNL, so we are not doing this to undress them in any way but all we need is for issues to be fixed and also to set precedence for future reference.”
Sources also indicated that a ratification process is going on behind closed doors, despite PNL not shedding any light on the case.
“Harare City secured the first runner-up position with a superior goal difference of +1288, compared to Chapungu’s +1259,” said PNL spokesperson Innocent Ndiya. “Notably, Harare City is rated above Chapungu on goal average, the outstanding performances from all teams made for an exhilarating season.”
Meanwhile after cementing their status as champions for the second time running ZDF Queens head coach Philemon Mangwiro reckons that they will not be celebrating for long.
Instead, the champions have already shifted focus, and resumed preparations for the coming season. For a side that has not tasted defeat locally in all competitions for two years, Mangwiro notes that consistent intensive training is the only way that they can maintain their standard.
“We are past the celebrations already, we are already looking at the championship as a past achievement,” he said.
“Now we are already planning for the coming season, we will not be going on a long break like other teams.
“This is because we want to maintain form when we return next season and our fear is that a long break may affect us.”
In the two seasons, ZDF Queens collected maximum points in all their local games.
The only time they recorded a defeat was when they narrowly lost 44-47 to Eswathini’s Royal Flames in the Confederation of Southern Africa Netball Associations (COSANA) Club Championships in Namibia, in May.
At the club championships, they were representing Zimbabwe together with Makate Hyfliers who however failed to make it past the first round of games.
“We need to stay on toes because we are looking to take part at the COSANA games again next year,” added Mangwiro.
