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Several media houses yesterday ran stories that said the country’s second leading top goal scorer and Highlanders striker Milton Ncube would sit it out on the terraces after amassing three yellow cards.
However, the PSL said yesterday they had not written to any clubs this weekend about player suspensions. Several administrators distanced themselves from the news of their players being on suspension.
Highlanders have a tricky encounter against bogey side Motor Action at Barbourfields Stadium tomorrow and need to win the match at all costs to stay well on course for their first title in six years.
Ncube missed the reverse fixture against his former paymasters due to injury and was relishing the opportunity of facing them this time around with Bhekimpilo Ncube and Masimba Mambare, the other former Mighty Bulls players now turning out for the Kelvin Kaindu black and white army.
Ncube was said to be part of the seven players who were suspended, with FC Platinum the hardest hit as they would have had Charles Sibanda, Welcome Ndiweni and Ali Sadiki all sitting on the terraces with Zephaniah Ngodzo who received a red card in the 0-3 loss to Monomotapa.
Another Southern Region team which is still in the championship race, Shabanie Mine, have veteran Caleb Masocha on the list while from the Northern Region its only Gunners’ (Willard Gondo) and Black Mambas (Convenience Hungwe).
Ironically, Shabanie Mine are playing championship chasing Monomotapa while Gunners are up against second placed and reigning champions Dynamos.
“We did not receive any official communication from PSL and as such we are taking our players to camp,” said FC Platinum secretary Philimon Muwengwa.
His Highlanders counterpart Andrew Tapela said he had been out of office but had not received anything from the office staff before referring further questions to club chairman Peter Dube.
“Talk to the chairman maybe he has something,” said Tapela.
Contacted for comment Dube also said he was out of the office and had not seen anything.
“In any case, we get instructions from PSL, not anyone else,” said Dube who was the club secretary in 1999 when a machination by then league secretary-general Leslie Gwindi to have Bosso’s star players Zenzo Moyo and Dazzy Kapenya was orchestrated.
Dube and Roger Muhlwa went ahead and used the two players as Bosso won 2-0 to seal the 1998/99 championship.
From what Bosso are saying, Ncube is likely going to play unless something dramatic happens.
League chief executive officer Kennedy Ndebele however said those suspended should not play and when told that clubs had not received any official notification, he said:
“Clubs will get the list and even if it comes at 5pm, the player will still be suspended,” said Ndebele.
A staffer at the PSL offices in Harare, Ruth Mhaka, had earlier on told this publication that there would not be any suspensions this week.
“We don’t have any suspensions this week and I wonder where those who have the list got it from because the chief (Ndebele) sent us nothing this week,” she said.
Championship chasing Harare sides Dynamos and Monomotapa do not have any suspended players for this weekend’s games.
Online Reporter