The Sunday News
Sports Correspondent
THE Bulawayo Amateur Football Association (BAFA) 2016 season kicks off this weekend with matches scheduled for today and tomorrow at Barbourfields Outside Grounds. Bafa chairman Chris Mtungwazi said all was set for the league’s first matches. Defending champions, Madamara open their title defence against perennial rivals and last year runners-up, Rebels in what is expected to be a mouth watering season opener.
Madamara official, Didymus Maramudze expressed confidence they would retain the championship for the third year running after winning it in the past two years.
“We have no intention of losing the title and we have prepared well as a team by bringing on board new players to beef up the squad while retaining the bulk of the championship winners. We do not expect a stroll in the park because other teams have also been preparing hard to ensure they wrestle the title from us but we will be equal to the task, I can assure them of that,” said Maramudze.
Mtungwazi said they were looking forward to a competitive season as teams have indicated they would not allow Madamara to retain the title. “Other teams have said they can’t let Madamara retain the title so I believe it will be very competitive as teams seek the championship,” he said.
Bafa has renewed its partnership with retail clothing giant Edgars in a move that will see the league’s winner receiving prizes.
Bafa signed another one-year deal that will see the league’s winners walk away with medals for the whole team and individual trophies resulting in change of name to Edgars Bafa League.
Fixtures
Today: Madamara v Rebels, Vipers v Bulawayo Tigers, United v Unity Village, Seven Worriors v Crusaders, Dynamis Diesel v Safeguard, NGA v Laduma Stars, Securico v Anolle Castings, eleven Stars v Mpilo United
Tomorrow: Bulawayo Tigers v Madamara, Unity Village v Rebels, Crusaders v Vipers, Safeguard v United, Laduma Stars v Seven Worriors, Anolle Castings v Dynamic Diesel, Mpilo v NGA, Eleven Stars v Securico
