Bulawayo City seek special treatment

FORMER Premiership team Bulawayo City have written to the ZIFA Southern Region leadership seeking a slot to contest in this year’s Division One league season.

City were demoted from the topflight league in 2022, but went further down to play in Division Two instead of the First Division. The decision was made based on the team’s plans to focus more on player development.

ZIFA Southern Region spokesperson, Blessing Mbwanda, acknowledged receipt of the letter from City.

“We have received communication from City, but what l can tell you is entry into the league is through promotion or demotion. City had a slot when they got relegated, but they did not regularise the slot, therefore they are coming in as a completely new side.

“If they are to play in Division One, that will have to be a decision made by congress,” said Mbwanda.

Bulawayo City communications officer, Thandiwe Moyo, could neither confirm nor deny the club’s request.

“The board and executive are still to meet to discuss plans for the season. The board and executive will draw the plan for the season,” said Moyo.

City’s development teams have produced several top-flight league players, including the likes of Mpumelelo Bhebhe, who is with Chicken Inn, and Elshaamar Farasi at Highlanders.

City’s first dance in the topflight was in 2016. They survived the relegation axe by a whisker in 2017, finishing 14th and escaping by just a point.

However, luck wasn’t on their side the following year when they were relegated after finishing 16th. But they made a quick return to the PSL by winning the ZIFA Southern Region Division One League in 2019.

Last year’s Division One season had some hiccups as several matches failed to kick-off with teams giving excuses at the 11th hour. A few teams struggled to fulfil away games and in some cases even home matches.

As a result, three teams were expelled from the league at the halfway mark.

These were Zimbabwe Saints, Mountain Climbers and Makhandeni Pirates.