Online Reporter
Zimpapers Sports Hub
ZIFA will need to plead with the Confederation of African Football to extend registration deadline extensions should Ngezi Platinum Stars agree to take up the slot relinquished by ailing giants Dynamos in the 2025-26 CAF Confederation Cup.
DeMbare, who defended the Chibuku Super Cup last season to claim the Confed Cup ticket, indicated last Friday that they were incapacitated in terms of participating in continental football.
According to competition rules and subject to a successful application to CAF by ZIFA, Ngezi Platinum Stars reserve the right to replace DeMbare on account of being the Chibuku Cup runners-up.
However, officials yesterday said this could come with challenges as DeMbare communicated their decision late, leaving little time for ZIFA to make an application.
ZIFA had given clubs until June 20 to confirm their participation and allow paperwork to be completed ahead of CAF’s June 30 deadline.
“As it stands, Dynamos communicated their position late. They only approached the ZIFA office, I think on Thursday or Friday last week. The challenge that we face now is the time aspect since the CAF deadlines are just around the corner,” said a ZIFA official.
“It is difficult to make an application for a replacement to CAF within the time-lines and get a response. So, the association first has to approach CAF and ask for an extension of the deadlines.
“So first there has to be an extension of the set deadline, of which there is that window. It’s possible to get that window of extension.”
Indications yesterday were that Ngezi Platinum Stars were yet to get the invitation to step in and fill the void.
The platinum miners are not new to inter-club competitions, having previously represented the country in both the Confederation Cup and the top-tier Champions League.
Dynamos, who are reeling from one of their worst seasons on and off the pitch, concluded they were not in a position to return to continental football.
At their peak, Dynamos represented the country with pride in continental football. They set a benchmark for Zimbabwean football when they reached the final of the Champions League in 1998.
But they have been on free-fall in the last decade, leading to their withdrawal from continental football for the first time due to lack of preparedness and concerns about the absence of a CAF-approved venue on Zimbabwean soil to play their home games.
The decision by Dynamos to withdraw from the Confederation Cup was met with ire from the supporters.
“It’s a worrisome development for Zimbabwean football when Dynamos, the biggest and most successful club, pulls out of a continental tournament citing financial challenges,” said DeMbare fan Chris “Romario” Musekiwa.
“The Glamour Boys management was supposed to seek sponsorship for the CAF Confederation Cup campaign from local corporates.
“It’s a major setback now that we miss out on participating in the continental football show-piece, which has a huge financial windfall if the team qualify for the group stages.
“It’s a platform on which our players showcase talent and boost their chances for national team call-ups. Playing the tournament is also for national pride.”
