PSL play-offs to be held at one venue Zifa Communications Manager Xolisani Gwesela
Xolisani Gwesela

Xolisani Gwesela

Ngqwele Dube, Sports Correspondent
THE Castle Lager Premier Soccer League promotional play-offs are set to be played at one venue immediately after the football season ends.

Although Zifa communications manager Xolisani Gwesela said modalities would only be finalised by the end of this week, sources said the play-offs were likely to be played over three days.

They said authorities felt the play-offs should be played at one venue to avoid allegations of match-fixing.

The heads of the four Zifa Regions, Stanley Chapeta (Central Region), Davison Muchena (Eastern Region), Willard Manyengavana (Northern Region) and Musa Mandaza (Southern Region), met in Harare earlier this month to thrash out issues regarding the play-offs.

Gwesela said they would only be in a position to issue a statement on the play-offs next week.

“While the venue is yet to be finalised, the National Sports Stadium is being touted as the most likely venue considering the possibility that the matches might be broadcast,” said a source.

“What was agreed is that they should be finalised as quickly as possible instead of dragging them out through home and away matches between the four teams.”

Unlike in previous years, the PSL is axing two clubs at the end of the season instead of four, meaning only two out of the four regional champions will be promoted into the topflight league after the play-offs.

There was haggling over the issue with First Division teams resisting the move, saying the promotion of two teams should only have been done if there was a National First Division league.

Lack of sponsorship for the proposed NFD has scuppered its formation, resulting in the current arrangement whereby the four regional championships square-off to determine the top two sides to be promoted.

Bantu Rovers lead the Southern Region League with 54 points followed by Bulawayo Chiefs (53), Amagagasi (52) and ZPC Hwange (51).

In the Northern Region, Black Rhinos are on top with 60 points, while Herentals are second on 53 points.

Shabanie Mine top the Central Region League with 57 points, with Blanket Mine close behind on 56 and Ivan Hoe (52).

The Eastern Region battle is between former Premiership side Buffaloes, who are leading with 57 points followed by Yadah FC on 56.

@rasmthembo.

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