Division One leagues prepare for 2024 season
THE country’s second-tier leagues have already started laying the ground for the 2024 season that begins in March.
ZIFA Southern Region will be the first to resume in early March after holding their annual meeting on March 2.
Blessing Mwanda the Southern Region spokesperson said they hope all the teams will be fully prepared by the time the games start.
“We are going to hold our annual meeting on March 2 and the following week the season will kick-off. We are looking forward to a good season and some teams have already begun the pre-season preparations while others will regroup next week.
“We will have some grounds inspections when all the teams begin preparations and we will send invoices for affiliation fees in February so that we give teams enough time to pay up.
“It is likely to be a good season and we are hopeful all the teams who will be affiliated to us will be competitive,’ said Mbwanda.
Davison Muchena the Eastern Region Soccer League chairman said they will start their season on April 6.
“We are going to start the season on April 6 with player registration commencing from January 1 and this weekend we are going to have an induction training for new clubs in Masvingo.
“The region’s first instance board will inspect the stadiums on February 17 and 18 whilst there will also be a player registration course. As Eastern Region Soccer League we will release the fixtures on February 25 as well as hold the annual meeting on March 30,” said Muchena.
ZIFA Eastern Region Soccer League finished with 15 teams after Ruwa failed to last the distance and have since called up some teams who believe are capable to come on board if they meet their requirements.
The Northern Region Soccer League will start in April after they hold their annual meeting by the end of March.
ZIFA Northern Region administrator Ernest Shava said the pre-season break began at the start of January and they are waiting for the annual meeting so that they conclude on when the sea-son can kick-off.
“We are likely to begin is April as there are some logistics which need to be addressed like grounds inspection, player registration, release of fixtures among several others.
“There is going to be an annual meeting at the end of march and that will shape the path we are going to take. By beginning in April and it’s possible to finish the League in time,” said Shava.
ZIFA Northern Region also finished with 17 teams out of the 18 that started after Concession United was booted out mid-way through as they could not fulfil some fixtures.