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Eddie Chikamhi Senior Sports Reporter
PREMIERSHIP new boys Sheasham were yesterday thrilled after the Premier Soccer League cleared their Bata Stadium to host topflight league matches, including Saturday’s clash with Herentals.
The Gweru side also felt relieved as they have been saved time and resources they used to shuttle to Zvishavane for their home games since the beginning of the season.
But the Construction Boys felt unfairly treated when their stadium was controversially suspended from hosting Premiership games two weeks ago despite the stadium having been homologated by the ZIFA stadium inspection committee, the First Instance Body.
The club’s chairman Reginald Chidawanyika could not hide his delight. The Construction Boys felt relieved the needless standoff with the league authorities over the contentious ban of the stadium had been resolved.
Chidawanyika said the development was also welcomed by the players and the supporters alike, while coach John Nyikadzino will now not need to worry about the retrogressive challenge of fatigue on his players.
“We are excited,” said Chidawanyika.
“At least the sticking issues and the controversies surrounding our stadium have been resolved. Now we need to create an atmosphere that enables us to reconnect with our fans after playing so many games away from home.
“The fans are excited as well because the costs of travelling to Mandava for our home games were weighing them down. Hopefully, they will turn out in big numbers and cheer on the team at home.
“We also need to appreciate the players for their commitment. They have been travelling week in and week out and you could tell fatigue was beginning to creep in. So this is a positive development for the team,” said Chidawanyika.
The contentious suspension of Bata Stadium recently torched a storm. The Construction Boys were elated after the FIB granted their ground a certificate of homologation last month.
But a week later, after hosting only one game against Highlanders, they were left dumbfounded after the PSL forced them to shut the ground citing inadequacies in the renovations.
Amid the confusion, Sheasham missed their game against CAPS United after they failed to turn up at Mandava citing logistical challenges. The PSL are yet to rule on the fate of the game.
Sheasham revealed they parted with more than US$500 000 in the rehabilitation of Bata Stadium. The Construction Boys currently sit second from the bottom of the Castle Lager Premiership table with 10 points from as many games.
They hope the relocation back to Bata Stadium will help turn the team’s fortunes.
Fixtures:
Tomorrow: Simba Bhora v Triangle (NSS)
Saturday: Chicken Inn v Black Rhinos (Luveve), Cranborne Bullets v CAPS United (NSS), Sheasham v Herentals (Bata Stadium)
Sunday: GreenFuel v FC Platinum (Gibbo), Dynamos v ZPC Kariba (NSS), Hwange v Manica Diamonds (Colliery), Highlanders v Bulawayo Chiefs (Barbourfields)
Monday: Yadah v Ngezi Platinum Stars (NSS)
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