adminLangton Nyakwenda
WINNERS from the four Zifa Division One regions will get a chance to put the icing on their leagues’ triumph when they clash in the inaugural Champion of Champions Cup to be hosted by the Eastern Region early next month.
Cranborne Bullets won the Northern Region three weeks ago, while Bulawayo City and Whawha were crowned champions of the Southern and Central Regions, which went to the wire yesterday.
Whawha beat Shabanie Mine 2-0 as Sheasham melted in Beitbridge, where they lost 0-1 to Dulibadzimu United.
Bulawayo City needed just a draw to clinch the Southern Region ticket, but they did it in style as they walloped Arenel 3-0.
The Eastern Region’s two-horse race between Tenax and Buffaloes could be decided today.
Tenax will be crowned champions if they get a point against Ruwa ProGroup while Buffaloes need maximum points against Green Fuel and hope the log leaders drop three points.
Eastern Region chairman Davison Muchena is excited about the prospect of hosting the inaugural Champion of Champions tournament, which will run under the auspices of Zifa.
“The good part is that the first edition of the Champion of Champions Cup will be held in my region. We are yet to come up with a venue, but everything will be in place,” said Muchena.
The actual date for the two-day tournament is yet to be confirmed, but the organisers have tentatively settled for December 14 and 15.
“We have been talking as the four regional chairmen and realised that we need to give our champions that extra punch, just to see if they have what it takes,” said Muchena.
Acting Northern Region chairman Martin Kweza sees this Cup as an opportunity to gauge the financial muscle of the promoted clubs.
“Remember this tournament will be played in the Eastern Region, so there will be a lot of travelling, co-ordination and organisation.
“So, this is also a financial test for the promoted clubs, apart from it being a way to try and prepare our teams for the Premier Soccer League,” said Kweza.
Central Region boss, Stanley Chapeta, believes the tourney is an opportunity to market his region.
“Basically, we want to gauge the strength of our teams before they move into the PSL. But above all, we would want to market our brand so that many sponsors can be attracted and do more for us.
“This is a very noble idea, a very important step in the right direction,” said Chapeta.
Southern Region chairman Andrew Tapela reckons that the competition could afford national team coaches a chance to watch the cream of the lower division over one weekend.
“It’s a brilliant idea indeed, this will serve to market our league as well as expose our players to better opportunities locally and abroad,” said Tapela.
“On the other hand, national team coaches will at least have a wider selection area,” he said.
Online Reporter