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Innocent Kurira, Sports Reporter
CIWU got the perfect Christmas gift after they secured a ticket to the Zifa Southern Region Division One league after Ajax Hotspurs didn’t pitch for a replay ordered by Zifa Bulawayo Metropolitan Province on Saturday.

The rescheduled Division Two game was set for Iminyela grounds on Saturday and had a huge bearing on which team would be promoted. Three points separated the two sides, with CIWU on 65 points, while Ajax were three points behind on 62.

Ajax’s no show means CIWU will get three points on a 3-0 score-line to finish as runners up of the Division Two league behind champions Toronto.

The initial second-leg encounter between the two sides was abandoned and the Zifa disciplinary committee ruled that the game be replayed.

CIWU coach Kudzie Mhandire was elated with the prospect of playing Division One football next season.

“I am naturally happy because getting promoted is not an event, but a process. We as the CIWU family worked hard from day one up to this day. I really appreciate the executive led by Prince Nyoni for investing their faith in me ahead of other coaches with much more experience. I would like to thank our supporters, director, technical team and most importantly the players, who stood resolute to be heroes today,” said Mhandire.