The Sunday News
Mehluli Sibanda, Senior Sports Reporter
ZIFA Eastern Region champions, Tenax will be able to take up their place in the Premier Soccer League with their franchise not being sold.
Responding to reports that Tenax were putting up their franchise for sale, the club’s chairman Stefan Masina indicated that they were busy preparing for the 2020 season.
“Our franchise is not for sale at all and we are busy preparing for PSL come 2020. I do not know where the story is originating from,’’ Masina said.
Reports were to the effect that the Zimbabwe Prisons and Correctional Services had given suggestions that they would not be able to sustain two teams in the PSL with WhaWha also having been promoted, which means that one of the franchises has to be disposed of.
Masina said there has been no communication from his employer, with chances of that happening low since they had been asked to prepare for next season.
“They (ZPCS) are still to issue a statement to that effect, the chances are also slim because we are being asked to prepare and make necessary arrangements to sharpen our spears for PSL,’’ he said.
Zifa Eastern Region chairman, Davison Muchena is confident that Tenax will be able to take up their spot in the PSL.
“Tenax is live and ready for Premier Soccer League as we speak. The issue was discussed at the highest level of ZPCS and the two teams will feature in 2020 Premier League. Rest assured that our 2019 champion will represent us as expected in the Premiership in 2020,’’ Muchena said.
According to Muchena, in the event that Tenax are not able to take up their spot in the PSL, the slot is offered Eastern Region runners up Buffaloes. Tenax may also sell their franchise to anyone willing to buy on a willing buyer willing seller basis.
Another reason that is being pushed that could see Tenax not able to play in the PSL is that one entity could cannot have two teams playing in the same league.
PSL chief executive officer Kennedy Ndebele said the Zifa Club Licensing First Instance Body is responsible for determining if teams qualify to play in the top flight league.
“That should be determined by the Zifa Club Licensing First Instance Body. As a league we receive promoted clubs from the national association. Zifa have not yet given us the names of the teams that have been promoted,’’ Ndebele said.
Zifa communications and competitions manager Xolisani Gwesela said they have not seen any communication indicating that Tenax would not be able to assume their spot in the PSL.
“We don’t have correspondence to that effect. The association can only decide after seeing correspondence. We will give PSL the names of the promoted teams in early January,’’ Gwesela said.
Tenax were the winners of the Zifa Eastern Region when they ended the season with 68 points while Buffaloes finished with 65. — @Mdawini_29
