Zim Saints to know fate today

Sports Reporter
FORMER football giants Zimbabwe Saints whose expulsion from Zifa Southern Region Division One Soccer League looks imminent after they missed three successive matches, will know their fate today.
Chikwata have been failing to pay their affiliation fees of $2,500.
Musa Mandaza, the Zifa Southern Region boss yesterday reiterated his earlier position that there are no sacred cows in the league and as such there would be no special treatment for Zimbabwe Saints.

“Like I said before, teams in our league are the same and are treated equally. What I can tell you is that protocol is being followed with regards to dealing with the Zimbabwe Saints issue. All clubs have to comply with the requirements of the league and if they don’t do that they will face the consequences.

“As it is, a decision on Zimbabwe Saints will be made soon. There are people on the ground working out on the issue and they shall be coming up with recommendations on what transpired,” said Mandaza.

When it was brought to his attention that his office had released a fixture showing that Zimbabwe Saints has to play Portland Cement this weekend, Mandaza said: “That’s the calendar for the whole year. The fixture is on paper and it will only be confirmed tomorrow. You can call me tomorrow around 10AM and I will be in a better position to tell you more about the Zimbabwe Saints issue.”

There is a possibility that some clubs might feel that the Zifa Southern Region is protecting Chikwata as clubs like Hwange’s Rufaro Rovers were expelled from the league for failing to fulfill three consecutive matches after failing to pay affiliation fees.

Zimbabwe Saints’ organising secretary Jabulani Chinyangarara is a member of the Zifa Southern Region board and according to information obtained, is in charge of fixtures.

Fixtures
Saturday: Black Boots    v Kabwe Warriors (cancelled), Mpumalanga v Elephant FC (postponed), Portland Cement v Zimbabwe Saints (Portland Cement), ZPC Hwange v Trumus (Hwange), Technosphere v Hwange Juniors (Hwange), New West v Nust (Luveve), Plumtree Chiefs v Old Nic Mine (Raylton), Tsholotsho v Ntabazinduna (Tsholotsho).