adminFor the 2012 edition, Zimbabwe had champions Dynamos and runners-up FC Platinum participating in the more lucrative Champions League with Hwange and Motor Action taking the two Caf Confederation Cup slots.
FC Platinum were knocked out in the second round by Sudan’s El Merreikh on a 5-2 aggregate scoreline while DeMbare received a 7-1 aggregate hiding from Tunisian giants Esperance.
In the Confederation Cup Motor Action bowed out in the preliminary stage at the hands of neighbours, Black Leopards of South Africa who progressed 3-1 on aggregate. Coal miners Hwange survived the first hurdle but found the going tough in the next round, losing on away goals rule to Sudan’s Al Almal Atbara.
However, the good runs by Dynamos and Monomotapa in the past versions of the tournaments saw Zimbabwe retaining their two slots once more.
Zimbabwe is ranked 11th with 13 points from 12 countries that have two slots which are Tunisia (100 points), Nigeria (70 points), Egypt (64 points), Morocco (62 points), DRC (49 points), Sudan (47 points), Algeria (43 points), Cameroon (19 points), Angola (18 points), Mali (16 points) and Zimbabwe (13 points). Tied on position 12 are Libya and Cote d’Ivoire) 11 points.
The Confederation Cup is for winners of the country’s richest tournament which is the Mbada Diamonds Cup. Four clubs — Dynamos, Caps United, FC Platinum and Monomotapa — are left in the tournament with Dynamos still in the running for the league and cup double.
The other three semi-finalists are targeting a slot in the Confederation Cup. DeMbare are almost assured of another dance in the Champions League as even if they are to lose the league title to Highlanders, second spot is theirs and besides Bosso are serving a three-year ban by Caf after a Zifa boob last year.
The issue though is still being pursued by Zifa with the relevant authorities in Caf as it was not of Bosso’s doing that they withdrew at the last minute after Zifa registered them without their consent.
Highlanders’ Champions League slot might be taken by either Chicken Inn or Monomotapa.
“We are ready to take up the slot if it avails itself as our sponsors have already promised us enough sponsorship for the tournament,” said Chicken Inn secretary Tawengwa Hara yesterday.
Chicken Inn though, remain the only club in the top four which is already out of the running for both the league and cup titles and can only go to Africa if Caf throws out Zifa’s appeal on behalf of Highlanders and finish third on the standings, ahead of Monomotapa.
Ranking for 2013 CAF competitions is based on results from the Champions League and Confederation Cup tournaments from 2007 to 2011.
Points allocation
Winner, five points (four points), Runner-up, four points (three points), Losing semi-finalists, three points (two points), Third place in Groups, two points (one point), Fourth place in Groups, one point (one point)
Points in brackets are for Confederation Cup.
The points are multiplied by a co-efficient according to the year as follows:
2011 (Five points); 2010 (Four points); 2009 (Three points); 2008 (Two points); 2007 (One point)
How Zimbabwe got 13 points
2007 — (0 points),
2008 — Dynamos semi-final, 3pts X2 (coefficient) = 6 points
2009 — Monoz 4th in group, 1pt X3 (2009 coefficient) = 3 points
2010 — Dynamos 4th in group 1pt X4 (2010 coefficient) = 4points
2011 — 0points
Dynamos = 10pts
Monomotapa = 3 pts
Total = 13 pts
Online Reporter