Age-cheating spectre haunts Byo social soccer

THE age cheating ghost as well as competitive players continue to give Bulawayo Social Soccer League (BSSL) teams a headache.

Writing in the leagues’ weekly bulletin, a social media platform “Dr Kamuzu Banda” the leagues’ rabblerouser challenged the powers that be to desist from indicating right while turning left by tackling the elephant in the room once and for all.

“BSSL is an old institution and has been run smoothly but one cannot ignore the elephant in the house, gross violation of its own constitution is the order of the day. One is left wondering why the powers that be choose to turn a blind eye on this cancer that might one day rise to haunt us, surely we can’t indicate right then turn left. Why allow under-aged players and Zifa registered players, worse Premier League players to take part in our games? I therefore challenge the executive to protect this brand by having a zero tolerance when it comes to cheating as well the issue of competitive players,” said Banda.

His sentiments were also echoed by Stars FC secretary general Linda Bhebhe who said the issue of underaged players needs to be nipped in the bud as it also contributes to a number of negative things within the league.

However, BSSL chairman

Ntandoyenkosi Sibindi said in the league cases of under-aged players have been dealt with accordingly.

“We have punished all cases over young players, unfortunately the constitution and game rules talk about gentlemen’s agreement and teams are abusing it, however, there are no cases of young and competitive players we have not attended to.

At the same time I think we should address the issue with cases in front of us, most of the times young players and competitive players are used by the same teams on a gentlemen’s agreement. The old folks who fail to make the teams then complain and they never go beyond grumbling, the constitution and game rules are clear about that, it is not even a DC issue at all,” explained Sibindi.

Meanwhile, in the Harry Peter Skies Social Soccer League, Zimra leads after collecting 54 points from 23 games to date.

They have recorded 17 wins, three losses plus an equal number of draws while Rolling Stars are just two points away after playing 24 games. Last Sunday Rolling Stars returned home a happy lot after winning their 15th game of the season to date.

This league is the brainchild of companies based in Bulawayo whose main aim is to keep their workers active.