adminEddie Chikamhi Sports Reporter
WHICH domestic knock-out football tournament will be used this year to determine the team to represent the country in the next edition of the Caf Confederation Cup?
This is the big question that has cropped up following the return of the Mbada Diamonds Cup in a new but shorter format this season.
The Mbada Diamonds Cup had been all-inclusive, with 16 Premiership teams taking part, from its inception in 2011 and winners grabbing the ticket to play in Caf’s second tier competition.
For the last three years the Mbada Diamonds Cup determined the side to represent the country in the Confederation Cup.
The company also offered a generous subsidy to the team to take it through the preliminary stages without hassles.
However, the tournament was launched this week with the top four teams at the end of the season expected to battle it out while the rest will get cash payouts of US$10 000 each.
Winners this year will take home US$50 000 while US$30 000 has been set aside for the runners-up. The two semi-finalists will get $15 000 each.
There were many knock-out tournaments this year and with the Chibuku Super Cup, which returned after a long absence, the only one inclusive of all 16 teams.
Premiers Soccer League chief executive Kenny Ndebele yesterday said the league are expecting to get clarification from the football mother body, Zifa, before the end of the season. Zifa have the final say on which teams to play in Caf inter-club competitions.
“Usually we get advice from Zifa. When it comes to regional competitions, it’s Zifa who make the decisions. They are overally in charge of the selection of the teams to play in the CAF competitions.
“But remember there was a time when we did not have an all-inclusive tournament and as a result winners from the eight-team tournament played in the Confederation Cup.
“This changed when we had a 16-team tournament with winners from that tournament playing in Africa. So I think there is likelihood that there could be changes but that is subject to the instructions we get from Zifa.
“As PSL we are not the right people to make a decision on that,” said Ndebele.
If Zifa decides to use the most inclusive tournament to choose the country’s representatives, the decision could see Highlanders, Harare City, FC Platinum and Black Rhinos in line for Africa next season.
The four teams have made it to the semi-finals of the tournament and playing in Africa could be a big incentive ahead of the conclusion of the tourney.
Highlanders, Black Rhinos and FC Platinum have played in the continental competitions before.
Zifa spokesperson Xolisani Gwesela said although it is clear that the winners of the league title have an automatic ticket to the CAF Champions League, the association would need to consult the PSL before making a decision on the Confederation Cup participants.
How Mine played in the tournament this year and reached the second round where they were eliminated by Nigeria’s Bayelsa United after losing 3-2 on aggregate.
“As Zifa we have the prerogative to choose which teams to play in the interclub competitions, both the Champions League and the Confederation Cup.
“Right now we are not yet in a position to say whether winners of the Mbada Diamonds Cup, Chibuku Super Cup or the NetOne One Wallet Cup will play.
“We will need to consult with the Premier Soccer League and afterwards we will announce the criteria to be used this year. “Probably by next week we should know from which competition our Confederation Cup representatives will come from,” said Gwesela.
Online Reporter