admin
Sports Reporter
LEAGUE champions Chicken Inn and Dynamos will have to wait a little longer before they could rekindle their rivalry after ZIFA announced that the semi-finals of the Independence Cup set for tomorrow were shelved. Giants Highlanders were scheduled to meet holders FC Platinum at Mandava in another tie at Mandava but ZIFA communications manager Xolisani Gwesela said a new date will be announced for the matches.
“The semis have been put on hold because there are some critical logistical issues that are being attended to with the sponsor. Further announcements will be made tomorrow,” said Gwesela.
The Independence Cup is funded by the Government and the four teams had been hand-picked to feature in this year’s tournament. Winners are set to walk away with $20 000 while the losing finalists get $15 000. The organisers have also said the third and fourth placed teams will receive $10 000 and $5 000.
ZIFA chief executive Jonathan Mashingaidze yesterday said they are still expecting the finals to be held on Independence Day at the National Sports Stadium while the third place play-off takes place in Bulawayo as part of the Independence Day commemorations.
Mashingaidze also said they decided to move the semi-finals because they could be a counter-attraction to the burial of heroine Victoria Chitepo.
“We are just finalising the logistics in terms of the cost centres of the tournament. We are working closely with the Sports Commission and the other state units.
“The semi-finals were meant on Wednesday (tomorrow) but given that there is a special event on the same day, that is the burial of the late heroine Amai Chitepo, that semi-final would have to be moved to another day after the burial.
“I would like to confirm that those teams who were invited through the league have accepted the invitation and therefore Dynamos have agreed to take part in the tournament.”
League Fixtures
Saturday
Chicken Inn v How Mine (Luveve), ZPC Kariba v Bulawayo City (Nyamhunga), FC Platinum v Chapungu (Mandava), CAPS United v Harare City (Rufaro), Mutare City Rovers v Dynamos (Sakubva), Hwange v Ngezi Platinum Stars (Colliery), Tsholotsho v Highlanders (Barbourfields), Triangle United v Border Strikers (Gibbo)
Online Reporter