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Sikhumbuzo Moyo Senior Sports Reporter
TWO friendly matches pitting Mamelodi Sundowns and local football giants Dynamos and Highlanders hung in the balance yesterday after the Premier Soccer League chief executive officer Kennedy Ndebele said there was no more room for such games.
This has also thrown into doubt the Gushungo Victory Cup set to feature Highlanders and Dynamos and another one-off match involving the two teams.
The announcement by Ndebele comes a week after Twine Phiri, the PSL president, met representatives of Dynamos, Highlanders and Sundowns.
During the meeting, it was resolved that the matches be played as all the parties realised the obvious benefits to sports tourism, the two local clubs and the endorsement of the PSL brand.
Sundowns are preparing for the new Absa Premiership season and campaign in Africa next year.
Sundowns last year toured Zimbabwe and went on to improve on the field of play.
Ndumiso Gumede represented Highlanders with Webster Chikengezha standing in for Dynamos. Peter Ndlovu stood in for the South African giants.
A one-off match between Dynamos and Highlanders supported by a leading retail chain had been set for September 6.
However, the latest decision by the PSL could see the giants of Zimbabwean football lose an opportunity to make money at a time when company sponsored teams seem to be getting an upper hand over community and individually funded clubs.
“Our job as the secretariat is to implement resolutions made by the board of governors and if clubs see value in engaging in international friendlies, then they should go back to an assembly meeting and advocate for a change of season so that we are in sync with other major leagues,” said Ndebele.
In another development, there will not be any mid season break as well as friendly matches for the Premier Soccer League teams due to a congested programme and the forthcoming African Union Region Five Games.
In other seasons, there has been a mid season break but this time around, the Premiership says there won’t be any break.
“We will not be breaking as has been the norm.
“We have a number of cup games coming up while we are also preparing for the regional competition which will see some of our stadia closed,” said Ndebele.
He said negotiations were at an advanced stage for an eight-team tournament whose sponsor would be made public soon.
Clubs are set to fight it out in the Mbada Diamonds Cup and the returning Chibuku Trophy while the eight-team competition will be contested for by the top eight teams.
“As for friendly matches, be it local or international, we cannot sanction them when we have a congested programme.
“We started the season late, we had the Chan tournament and in the interest of the sponsors we certainly cannot be seen prioritising a friendly match on a weekend and slotting a league match during the week,” said Ndebele.
Meanwhile, the PSL season reaches its half way mark with three potentially mouthwatering derbies lined up in Harare, the Midlands and Bulawayo.
The derby episode begins on Saturday when FC Platinum plays host to Shabanie Mine at Mandava Stadium with the other two set for Sunday.
Resurgent Caps United take on Dynamos at the giant National Sports Stadium in a match that will bring the capital to a virtual standstill.
Bulawayo giants Highlanders will be engaged in their second derby in seven days when they square off against struggling Bantu Rovers.
The match though has been described as the real Bulawayo derby as most of the boys in the two teams have either played together at junior level or are neighbours.
Fixtures
Friday July 11
ZPC Kariba v Chicken Inn (Gwanzura) SS
Saturday July 12
Harare City vs Hwange (Rufaro) SS
FC Platinum vs Shabanie Mine (Mandava)
Sunday July 13
Caps United vs Dynamos (NSS) SS
Black Rhinos vs How Mine (Rimuka)
Buffaloes vs Chiredzi (Sakubva)
Triangle United vs Chapungu (Gibbo)
Highlanders vs Bantu Rovers (Barbourfields)
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