Promotional play-offs to be played over three days Johannes Ngodzo
Bantu Rovers’ coach, Johannes Ngodzo

Bantu Rovers’ coach, Johannes Ngodzo

Sikhumbuzo Moyo, Senior Sports Reporter
THE Premier Soccer League has proposed the promotional play-offs for the four teams that will win the Division One championships in the four football regions to be played over three days.

Unlike in previous years when winning the Division One title guaranteed a team automatic entry into the Premiership, as four team from the top tier league have normally been relegated, this  year only two teams will be chopped and an equal number from the second tier league will get promoted.

According to a PSL activity report presented to the board of governors during a meeting in Harare last weekend, the league wants the play-offs to be played at one venue with the first matches played on a Wednesday, second on Friday and the final matches on Sunday. A round robin system will be used.

The venue for the promotional play-offs or even the dates has not been finalised although sources said a Midlands venue was likely.

The identity of the winners has to be known before end of November, the same month that the Premiership season is expected to wrap up so that players can be allowed to rest before the 2017 season which is set to have an early kickoff in February, just after the Total African Nations Cup finals.

“From the discussions it looks like all the matches will be beamed live on SuperSport while a leading communications corporate has been approached with a view of coming up with some form of sponsorship for the play-offs,” said a source.

While the PSL has proposed a three day promotional play-offs, Zifa allegedly want the games to be spread over three weeks on a home and away set-up, something which could prove financially draining for the clubs and prone to match manipulation.

“We will have a position sometime next week, the PSL has not communicated to us regarding their proposed format,” said the Zifa communications manager Xolisani Gwesela.

Bantu Rovers, under Johannes Ngodzo, are leading the race in the Southern Region despite losing two back to back matches while army side Black Rhinos have a 11 points lead in the Northern Region with nine games to go.

Yadah, former Gunners are calling the shots in the Eastern Region while Blanket Mine and Shabanie Mine are neck to neck in the Central Region.

— @skhumoyo2000.

You Might Also Like

Comments