Dynamos cannot play in both tournaments
The Herald, November 29, 1985 DYNAMOS’ wish of representing Zimbabwe in both the African Cup of Club Champions soccer tournament and the African Cup of Cup Winners is “practically impossible”, said Zifa secretary Moronie Mushambadope yesterday.
The secretary was reacting to a statement made by Dynamos secretary and acting chairman Simon Sachiti earlier this week.
Sachiti said that his club had the resources to enable them to complete in both African competitions.
“While the Confederation of African Football do not have regulations forbidding a team participating in two tournaments, CAF found it practically impossible for one team to take part in two competitions.
“The competitions for both tournaments are usually held simultaneously and it is hard for a team to reach the match venue after competing in the other,” said Mushambadope.
Dynamos qualified to represent Zimbabwe in the African Cup of Club Champions by winning the BAT Super League.
Last Saturday Dynamos beat holders Black Rhinos 3-2 in the Natbrew Zifa Cup to qualify to represent the nation in the other competition.
Rhinos last year won the double, both league and the Natbrew Zifa Cup to also qualify to represent Zimbabwe in both African tournaments.
The soldiers opted to campaign in the African Cup of Club Champions and let Gweru United participate in the other tournament.
A Zifa spokesman said Dynamos will be given the option of deciding.
In the event of them choosing to compete in the African Cup of Cup Champions, then the Zifa finalists Black Rhinos will be invited to participate in the other.
The process would be reversed if Dynamos opt to campaign in the African Cup of Club Champions. The league runners-up will be invited to take part in the other cup.
LESSONS FOR TODAY
◆ Dynamos is the most successful football club in the country after it reached the finals of the Confederation of African Football Champions League in 1998.
◆ The team, which is known as the Glamour Boys or DeMbare, has an opportunity to rekindle its participation in the continental showcase if it manages to beat Ngezi Platinum in the Chibuku Super Cup slated for next month.
◆ Representing the country is a great opportunity. Dynamos has had the opportunity of representing the country on the continental showcase on more than 17 occasions.
◆ It is important to give others a
chance. While Dynamos was confident that it had the resources and manpower to participate in both tournaments, it was important that they also opted for one of the two tournaments to give another team a chance to participate in the other tournaments.