Tenax’s PSL promotion on hold

Curtworth Masango-Sports Reporter

THE drama in the Eastern Region Soccer League is now shifting to the boardroom as Bikita Minerals seek to gain the sole ticket to the Premier Soccer League instead of Tenax, who finished top when the season concluded on Saturday. 

Tenax shot to the top of the standings on the final day after winning at home while Bikita Minerals could only draw 1-1 at Grayham. 

As a result, Tenax finished top with 59 points while Bikita Minerals have 58 points. 

However, Bikita Minerals now want three points from their game against Grayham arguing that the hosts fielded an ineligible player. 

Allegations are that Calvin Tinashe Chiwere used a licence that belonged to Munyaradzi Machipisa and Bikita Minerals captain Frank Jeke raised alarm after identifying Chiwere since they were once teammates at Melfort.

The match commissioners are said to have allowed the match to continue to avoid disruptions and short-changing stakeholders. 

Zifa Eastern Region Division One Soccer League rules and regulations state that if a team fields an ineligible player there will be sanctions that will see the complainant being awarded points. 

Clause 13.1 a and b of the rules and regulations state: 

“If a player and or players are fielded in a match despite being ineligible, the team to which the player and or players belong will be sanctioned by forfeiting the match and paying the stipulated fine.  

The player and or players may also be sanctioned.

“a. The points ARE NOT AWARDED to the opposition if the player and or players considered to be ineligible are identified during and or after the match. 

“b. The points ARE AWARDED to the opposition if the player and or players are identified during the inspection and the team insists that the player and or players are eligible.” 

The league was not immediately available for comment.