PSL relegations overload Southern Region League

THE Zifa Southern Region League has been left with a headache to deal with following the demotion of three teams from the Castle Lager Premiership.

Arenel,  Bulawayo Chiefs and Hwange who were relegated alongside Chegutu Pirates come from the Southern Region.

Traditionally the regional Division One League relegates four teams and promote as many drawn from Bulawayo and Matabeleland North provinces.

League spokesperson Blessing Mbwanda confirmed that they were in a quandary.

“We did not expect that we would lose as many as three teams at the end of the season. The figure is too high for us to accommodate and this will now affect the number of teams we also relegate,” said Mbwanda.

He said despite a few postponements or walkovers, the season had run smoothly and  they were looking forward to receiving four teams from Bulawayo and Matabeleland North Provinces.

“While we will be receiving two teams from Matabeleland North and Bulawayo, it is sad that we will be relegating as many as seven teams, it is too big a number to relegate in an 18-team league, surely we are in a quandary. Outside concerns for the League effect, for football, the region has lost three teams, it is a dent and we are disappointed over the demotions,” said Mbwanda.

ZPC Hwange were crowned champions in Hwange on Saturday and will be playing in Premiership next season.

Coach Dalubuhle Bhebhe said it is about time coaches and other practitioners worked together in Bulawayo to protect gains of yesteryear.

He said the city and region has a very good reputation and legacy to live up to and protect.

“This is a wake-up call, our football is losing its traction. One issue I see on the surface is the failure to work together even as coaches to support those in charge of our Premier teams. Now that we have fallen, we are counting the costs.

“Losing two teams as a city is too much, three in the region a disaster, we have lost out big time,” said the Brazilian-trained gaffer and qualified teacher.

Football legend and Bosso scoring sensation of the 1998/99 and 2000 seasons, Zenzo Moyo said leaders must not clamour for positions and fail to advance the game.

“This is hurting, we have let down future generations by this. Three teams is just too much to lose in one season. Our kids have lost out an opportunity for the lowest hanging fruits in their careers, which is the home team opportunity. So many good players in Arenel, Bulawayo Chiefs and Hwange will be denied the opportunity to play in their home towns, it is an advantage to start off at the local club and move out later.

“Our leaders must see this as a crisis situation and work towards solutions that will help the game and our clubs stay in the Premiership in the future.

Bikita survived the chop on Saturday when they beat fellow strugglers Hwange 2-0 at Wadzanai Stadium in Shamva as Bulawayo Chiefs were edged 2-1 by Manica Diamonds.

The relegated teams cried foul over bad refereeing on the road during the season. Highlanders’ abandoned match against Simba Bhora in Shamva on September 22, brought to light poor officiating that had become a cancer especially in the Northern Region.

Cecil Gwezera awarded a penalty in an incident that had clearly happened outside the box and Highlanders would have none of that leading to the abandonment of the game and within 18 hours the referees were suspended for their actions.

Highlanders went on to earn the wrath of the PSL as they were fined and suspended from next year’s competition.

The team’s followers then protested to draw attention to rampant poor officiating and disciplinary awards that allegedly seem to always go against Highlanders.

However this season, Bosso fans have been exemplary at home with no crowd trouble at Barbourfields Stadium.

With 33 percent of the referees who were suspended this season having been among those that officiated at Shamva, following dubious decisions towards the home side, the stadium was reduced to a crime scene.

With the three gone, the region will have Chicken Inn, Highlanders and ZPC Hwange as the only Premiership sides.

Traveling and camping expenses will hit the three clubs as they will have a lot of travelling and to further points.