The Sunday News
Ngqwele Dube, Sports Correspondent
WOMEN’S football is set to return to the top tier with the Super League scheduled to kick off at the end of the month.
Top flight women football was last played in 2013 and efforts to put a league back together had proved difficult with teams opting for regional leagues.
Women Soccer League chairlady, Rosemary Kanonge said they had set the last weekend of April as the starting weekend for the 16-team league. She said the teams had confirmed participation in the league and they were now expected to pay affiliation fees.
“We were elected into office to run the top flight league hence we made it our priority to ensure that modalities are in place to ensure we kick off the league early to ensure the smooth running of the league.
“The 16 teams that confirmed participation in the league have been invited for an induction course to be held on 19 and 20 April as part of preparations for the start of the Super League,” said Kanonge.
Teams that have agreed to join the Super League this year are Correction Queens, Mufakose Queens, Cyclone Stars, Black Rhinos Queens, Herentals which are based in Harare, Gweru-based Chipembere Queens, Conduit Academy of Guruve, Zvishavane Queens, Mutare’s Faith Drive, Bulawayo teams: Inline Academy, New Orleans, Barrow Jets and Cowdray Park, Lowveld side, Mwenezana, Hwange Ladies and Masvingo Queens.
Kanonge said the teams had committed to playing in the league despite the fact they are yet to secure sponsorship, adding they were still in talks with several companies over the funding of the Super League.
Teams have in the past expressed concern over playing in a non-sponsored league due to financial burden they have to bear.
Meanwhile, the Zimbabwe Women Football Committee has been constituted according to article 47 of the Zifa constitution which states that its duty would be to “organise women football competitions and deal with all matters relating to women’s football”.
The standing committee is mandated with running women football affairs other than the Super League.
Kanonge chairs the committee on the basis that she is the ZWSL chairlady. The committee has eight members that include vice chairlady, Samukeliso Silengane, Northern Region chairman, Wilbert Rambanepasi, Cyclone Stars director, Tamba Munemo, Southern Region chairman, Takundwa Chimundiya, Bulawayo Province chairman, Thembelani Dhliwayo, Eastern Region chairman, Rosemary Muzvidziwa and Central Region chairman, Beaula Musara.
