Uhuru Cup semis shelved

LEAGUE champions Chicken Inn and Dynamos will have to wait a little longer before they could rekindle their rivalry after ZIFA announced that the semi-finals of the Independence Cup set for tomorrow were shelved.

Giants Highlanders were scheduled to meet holders FC Platinum at Mandava in another tie at Mandava but ZIFA communications manager Xolisani Gwesela said a new date will be announced for the matches.

“The semis have been put on hold because there are some critical logistical issues that are being attended to with the sponsor. Further announcements will be made tomorrow,” said Gwesela.

The Independence Cup is funded by the Government and the four teams had been hand-picked to feature in this year’s tournament.

Winners are set to walk away with $20 000 while the losing finalists get $15 000. The organisers have also said the third and fourth placed teams will receive $10 000 and $5 000.

ZIFA chief executive Jonathan Mashingaidze yesterday said they are still expecting the finals to be held on Independence Day at the National Sports Stadium while the third place play-off takes place in Bulawayo as part of the Independence Day commemorations.

Mashingaidze also said they decided to move the semi-finals because they could be a counter-attraction to the burial of heroine Victoria Chitepo.