Zifa-PSL impasse leaves Bantu in limbo
THE Zifa and Premier Soccer League (PSL) relegation and promotion impasse has left Southern Region champions Bantu Rovers in limbo, with the bulk of their players' contracts expiring in 11 days time.
The club says it cannot offer new contracts to players in the absence of a clear solution to the number of teams that will be promoted to the PSL.
With less than a fortnight before the end of the year, Bantu Rovers are in a quandary as to which of their players, whose contracts are set to expire, to retain for the 2017 season.
“We are in a predicament because 75 percent of our players' contracts expire on 31 December and it's difficult to negotiate for contract extensions when we don't know how the relegation and promotion impasse will pan out. Not knowing where we stand obviously makes things very difficult from a planning point of view,” said Bantu Rovers general manager Wilbert Sibanda.
He said the club had been forced to keep its squad in training even after the end of the Zifa Southern Region Division One League due to the ongoing confusion involving Zifa and the PSL.
“It's expensive to keep the guys training, but we have no choice because we had to have a plan in place in the event we are called to take part in promotional play-offs. But as of last Thursday, we took a break for the festive season and will resume training in early January. The players are, however, on standby if new developments arise.
“We have a plan in place to recruit new players, but that will only be made at the recommendation of the coaches. In January we will hold our annual trials, but will only target players under the age of 21,” Sibanda said.
Bantu Rovers join Black Rhinos (Northern), Yadah FC (Eastern) and Shabanie Mine (Central) as the four Zifa regional Division One champions that are watching with exasperation the circus unfolding at the highest level of domestic football management.
They are all keen to see an end to the Zifa and PSL impasse so that they know where they will be playing in 2017.
A fortnight ago, Zifa issued a public statement saying two teams would be relegated from the PSL, while the four regional Division One champions will join the elite league for the 2017 season.
The statement said an 18-team league would bring an end to the relegation and promotion dispute that has cast a dark shadow on local football.
However, the PSL rejected Zifa's proposed solution and stuck to its two in and two out stance. The PSL even took the dispute to the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) in Switzerland. The league insists that Zifa must respect a resolution made to chop two teams from the PSL and have the four regional champions competing in promotional playoffs, with the top two winning promotion. — @RaymondJaravaza ZIMBABWE will face Ireland in their first group match at the 2017 ICC Women's World Cup qualifier scheduled for Colombo, Sri Lanka, in February.
Ten sides will compete in the qualifying tournament where four places will be up for grabs for the ICC Women's World Cup finals to be held in England from June 26 to July 23, 2017.
After playing Ireland at the Mercantile Cricket Association ground on February 7, Zimbabwe will take on Thailand three days later in their next Group A assignment at the same venue.
On February 11, Zimbabwe and hosts Sri Lanka will battle it out at the Nondescripts Cricket Club, before taking on India at the P Sara Stadium in the last group match on February 13.
Zimbabwe will play a warm-up game against Scotland at the Colombo Cricket Club prior to their first qualifier.
Group B comprises South Africa, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Scotland and Papua New Guinea.
Each side will play four matches in the first round and the top three sides from each group will progress to the Super Six stage with points they earn against teams that would have made the Super Six stage from their respective groups.
The top four sides from the Super Six stage, in which each side will play three matches against teams from the other group, will complete the eight-team line-up for the 2017 ICC Women's World Cup 2017. The top two sides will battle it out for the title in the final on February 21.
Australia, England, New Zealand and the West Indies automatically qualified for the World Cup after finishing in the top four of the ICC Women's Championship. – Zim Cricket