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From Saul Mundandi in ZVISHAVANE
SHABANIE Mine have appealed to their supporters to behave well after the club was fined US$8 000 for the chaos that rocked their BancABC Sup8r Cup final against FC Platinum at Mandava at the weekend.
The miners won the cup in a dramatic penalty shoot-out to pocket a US$120 000 winners’ cheque, but they will now have to deduct a portion from that purse to pay for the actions of some of their fans.
Shabanie Mine supporters caused commotion when they invaded the pitch to celebrate their team’s triumph soon after the penalty shoot-out.
Premier Soccer League chief executive Kenny Ndebele yesterday confirmed the penalty.
Shabanie Mine’s secretary-general Pithius Shoko implored the supporters to desist from such actions in future.
“I am appealing to our fans to behave. If we win or lose, we must not scale the fence because it attracts a fine from the PSL. It is also not safe for our own players or referees as some fans might not be part of us and in the end they can simply attack our own players or the match officials.
“The pitch is for the players, technical team, match officials, accredited journalists and the police and not the fans. We must not enter the pitch except in case of emergency say after a fire breakout or a stampede. Our club is financially crippled and it’s not good for us to be found paying fines from the money that we will have won,” Shoko said.
Meanwhile, Shabanie are now plotting another assault on the Mbada Diamonds Cup with a first round date against Chicken Inn this Saturday.
Their coach Luke “Vahombe” Masomere, who is also the self-proclaimed doctor of football in Zimbabwe, has given his players some rest for most part of this week despite facing a crucial match.
“I am resting my players and I am only going to commence training on Thursday (tomorrow). I am not worried about meeting Chicken Inn because by also resting the players it’s part of our preparations, especially after the gruelling 120 minutes of play last Saturday which then spilled into a penalty shoot-out.
“I know the match against Chicken Inn is going to be very tough after eliminating them in the quarter-finals of the BancABC Sup8r Cup.
“Tavengwa Hara (the Chicken Inn club secretary) is a very good friend of mine and he has already given me a warning that he wants to beat me. He is very serious about that but I want to advise him that I am also preparing very hard for the match,” said Masomere. Masomere lost 1-2 to the Gamecocks at home with Tarisai Rukanda scoring the face-saver in their first meeting at Maglas this year. The two teams were then drawn to clash in the BancABC Cup in just a space of seven days which saw the outspoken gaffer boldly declaring that he would not lose twice to the same team and those who thought he was joking saw the asbestos miners eliminate Chicken Inn 2-0.
A Pervington Zimunya penalty and Rukanda’s goal eliminated the Bulawayo team from the rich tournament. The two teams were then to play a goalless draw four days later in a Premiership match.
With 6 972 fans paying to watch the BancABC final which grossed US$25 592 fans are expected to swell at Mandava Stadium and cheer the teams on Saturday.
“We harness diamonds for the people and we want to develop sport in all corners of Zimbabwe. In the previous tournaments, it was the players and clubs benefiting and this time we want to cushion the owners of the game-the fans”
“A dollar is affordable and we want people to bring their families and watch their heroes and favourite teams in action. We are glad that the PSL has approved US$1 as the entry charge for the fans during the first round and they will review it. All the stakeholders are uniting for a common cause which makes the tournament better,” said George Manyaya, the corporate services executive of sponsors Mbada Diamonds. The Mbada executive, however, urged fans to behave as they were destined for better things to come.
“It is a litmus test and there is going to be a winner and a loser and we are saying no to violence. We also believe in empowering all stakeholders and we have partnered with local broadcasters including Star FM so that everyone in the country and those outside our boarders can enjoy the action,” he added.
The clashes between Chicken Inn/Shabanie, How Mine/Black Rhinos and Highlanders/Triangle will be beamed live on SuperSport 9, ZTV and all the radio stations will be carrying out updates.
Online Reporter