The Sunday News
Fungai Muderere, Senior Sports Reporter
THE Zifa Southern Region Division One League will hold its belated 2023 awards ceremony on a date and venue to be advised.
The region’s spokesperson, Blessing Mbwanda, said while they are still in the process of concluding deals with sponsors, preparations for the event have reached an advanced stage.
“We will soon be having our belated 2023 awards ceremony. We are yet to conclude on the date and venue the event will be held. Preparations are at an advanced stage and I must say the organising team has concluded on how individual awards will be done and we are in the process of talking to various sponsors. We are very much confident to have an event to remember,” said Mbwanda.
The past season was dominated by Arenel Movers, who got the region’s sole ticket to Premier Soccer League (PSL) football.
ZPC Hwange finished second and Talen Vision concluded their campaign as second runners-up
Meanwhile, last week Mbwanda revealed that four Division One clubs CIWU, Indlovu Iyanyathela, DRC and Binga Pirates are facing the axe, as they are not in good standing with the league.
The clubs are said to be owing the league substantial amounts of affiliation fees which they were expected to pay in full last season. In that regard, Mbwanda, said they have since written to the four clubs to remind them that they owe the league.
Affiliation fees in the league range are US$1 500 for members and US$2 500 for new clubs. The league’s annual general meeting (AGM) is set for 23 March.
“We have also made it known to them that they will only attend the meeting as observers because they are not in good standing. All the other teams that make up our constituency will be expected to take part,” said Mbwanda.
Last season, the league was compelled to expel former Premier Soccer League (PSL) side Zimbabwe Saints, Mountain Climbers and Emakhandeni Pirates for failure to pay their affiliation fees and fulfill fixtures.
Mbwanda, said they have accepted ex PSL side, Bulawayo City to rejoin the league.
Bulawayo City last played in PSL in the 2022 season and were relegated after a dismal campaign and opted to play Division Two and had an academy concept in mind.
