Chapungu, Nichrut sweat over Ascot

THE Premier Soccer League have told Chapungu and Nichrut the requirements for Ascot to be able to host topflight matches, failure of which they have to shift base.

The two clubs have told PSL of their intention to use Ascot as their home for the 2018 Premiership season, but the league authorities have said the venue needs a facelift. Concerns were raised over the state of Ascot, the dressing rooms, poor drainage system and the media box among other things which needed to be renovated to meet the required PSL standards.

League chief executive Kenny Ndebele was in Gweru this week, together with representatives from ZIFA to tell the two clubs and Gweru City Council of their expectations.

“The CEO (Ndebele) was in Gweru to meet with Gweru City Council, Chapungu and Nichrut over the state of Ascot. He was telling them the expectations of PSL for the ground to be able to host Premier Soccer League matches in line with club licensing. “The intention of the visit was to tell them what is needed to be worked on before the inspection team goes to inspect the stadium,” said league spokesperson Kudzai Bare.

The local authority have said they no capacity to renovate the stadium before the start of the season.

“I am not aware of what is exactly needed for a stadium to meet the PSL requirements, but I hope they will be able to use the stadium as was the case before, when Ascot was hosting the Premier Soccer League matches. But if there are any renovations that might need to be done, we as the city council we do not have the capacity to do so.

‘’We will need partners to be able to renovate the stadium” said Gweru Mayor Charles Chikozho.