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Senior Sports Reporter
ZIFA will soon consult other stakeholders on the appropriate action to take following the disbanding of Eastern Region champions Hippo Valley amid fears that the national association plans to go against laid down procedures on such eventualities. The Moses Chunga coached side won the sole ticket to the Castle Lager Premier Soccer League amid pomp and fanfare from the Lowveld community.
However, Tongaat Hulett, owners of the club announced that they will not be bankrolling the team because they are already sponsoring Triangle United which is playing in the elite league.
The company management said with a budget of $580,000 per annum needed to sponsor one team, having two would be stretching their resources rather too much.
“We can confirm that we have received a letter from Hippo Valley to the effect that they have disbanded and will no longer participate in the Premier Soccer League 2014. The association will consult and have a meeting with stakeholders concerned before coming up with a position. A decision will only be reached after these discussions and consultations in due course,” said the Zifa communications manager Xolisani Gwesela last night.
Pressed on what their statutes say on such an eventuality, Gwesela kept on evading the question on statutes which experts say are very clear on what should be done.
“Lets leave the issue of statutes for now,” said Gwesela.
Sources within the football sphere said the cash strapped national association wanted to seize the opportunity and call for national play-offs that would see runners up from the four Division One leagues fighting for the last slot to the elite league.
“These things are very clear and I wonder why Zifa wants to consult. The logical thing would be to take the team that came position two which in this case is Mutare City. Word doing rounds is that some big wigs with teams in Division One are pushing for play-offs,” said the source.
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