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Ricky Zililo, Senior Sports Reporter
Chiwororo’s failure to pay referees’ fees forced Zifa Southern Region to cancel the team’s Division One Soccer League match against Victoria Falls Tigers.

Musa Mandaza, Zifa Southern Region chairman said postponing Chiwororo’s match was meant to exert pressure on the league debutants to pay their dues.

Chiwororo are said to be owing substantial amounts in referees and affiliation fees.

“Chiwororo have not been paying referees for some time and this cannot be allowed to continue.

Cancelling their (Chiwororo’s) game was just a way of putting pressure on them so that they pay because it’s not fair on teams that make efforts to cover match day costs like referees’ fees,” said Mandaza.

Southern Region Division One Soccer League teams pay $220 per match to referees.

Mandaza could not be drawn into revealing how much Chiwororo owes to match officials, but said “it is a substantial amount”.

The Zifa Southern Region boss said they are also descending on clubs that have not paid their affiliation fees in full, adding that the teams risk losing points.

“Final letters of demand for affiliation fees are being sent to clubs and very soon teams that fail to clear their arrears, will not be allowed to play. They will lose points, with the worst scenario being kicked out of the league. Our region has the lowest affiliation fees and we did so because we wanted to make them affordable,” Mandaza said.

Affiliation fees for teams that are in their debut Southern Region Division One Soccer League season are pegged at $2 850 down from $3 000 while old teams part with $2 000 which is a reduction of $500 compared to the 2016 fees.

The teams are left with games ranging from eight to 10 games and as such, Zifa Southern Region are hard-pressed to have all clubs clearing their affiliation fees to avoid losing the revenue in the event that teams fold during off season.

Teams that would have not paid their affiliation fees also risk missing on playing in the two knockout tournaments to be held before the season ends.

The top teams from the Zifa Bulawayo Metropolitan and Matabeleland North Division Two Soccer Leagues will be invited to participate in the First Division knockout John Landa Nkomo Liquor Hub Cup.

The competition sponsored by businessman Raj Modi is one of the two knockout tournaments that the Southern Region Division One Soccer League has retained. The other competition that the First Division has retained is the Trukumb Mining Enterprises sponsored Joshua Mqabuko Nkomo Top 8 Cup.

Both tournaments are meant to celebrate the late Vice-Presidents.

“The tournaments are there, we’re tying a few loose ends before inviting clubs, the media and strategic partners for the launch. We want all the teams in Division One to participate in these competitions and we encourage everyone to clear arrears to avoid disappointments,” Mandaza said.

Results
Saturday: Amagagasi v Indlovu Iyanyathela (postponed), Casmyn 0-0 Bulawayo Chiefs, Talen Vision 1-2 Zim Leopards, Black Boots 0-2 Bosso 90, Makomo 0-0 ZPC Hwange, Chiwororo v Victoria Falls Tigers (cancelled)

Table

P    W    D    L    F    A    GD    Pts
Bulawayo Chiefs    16    14    2    0    33    3    30    44
ZPC Hwange    18    11    5    2    32    7    25    38
Makomo    18    8    7    3    20    13    7    31
Bosso 90    18    8    5    5    20    17    3    29
Casmyn    17    6    6    5    18    12    6    24
Zim Leopards    17    6    5    6    24    28    -4    23
ZRP Bulawayo    16    5    5    6    18    19    -1    20
Black Boots    18    5    5    8    22    33    -11    20
Talen Vision    16    4    7    5    12    12    0    19
Indlovu Iyanyathela    16    5    4    7    16    23    -7    19
Mosi Rovers    16    4    5    7    16    23    -7    17
Chiwororo    17    3    4    10    18    29    -11    13
Amagagasi    17    2    6    9    12    24    -12    12
Victoria Falls Tigers    16    2    4    10    7    25    -18    10

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