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Brandon Moyo, Sports Reporter

BULAWAYO Provincial Pool Association’s (BPPA) BPA Cup round of 16 matches that were postponed this past week are set to be played on Sunday.

Three matches were cancelled including the crunch tie between league leaders, Kings Pool Club and second placed Queens Pool Academy following a dispute over an unregistered player being used by the log leaders in the previous round.

The abandoned fixtures which are set to be played on Sunday are Entumbane against Bullet and Exchange versus Westcom which were disturbed at Golden Pillars.

All matches will be played at Exchange.

From 58 teams that were available at the beginning, the five teams which are still in play are PS Classics who booked their place after winning 8-1 against Kugona, Zimra, who beat Black Sharks 8-6, Real Caravan who edged Ace Basement 8-2, Lobengula Sharks who emerged 8-2 victorious over Elangeni and Expendables who won 8-2 against Nkulumane Pool Club.

The disruption of matches came after Kings players were reportedly unhappy after their cancelled fixture pending investigations following accusations by Dragons that they used an illegitimate player.
Kings players and officials, who were unhappy with the cancellation are said to have declared that they will interrupt other matches on the day.

“The suspension did not go down well with Kings players and officials who vowed to disrupt all other games at various venues. Surprisingly, they left the venue at Queens Sports Club where Ace Basement were playing Real Caravan and came to disrupt matches at Golden Pillars where Exchange were playing against Westcom and Entumbane was playing against Bullet,” read a statement from BPPA President Fortune Tawengwa.

The statement added: “BPPA hereby unconditionally apologises to the teams affected, the players, the host and the pool stakeholders at large for this uncalled-for behaviour by Kings Pool Club.

“We would like to thank the affected teams, players and supporters for not succumbing to the unsolicited provocation which could have turned nasty.

“As BPPA we hereby assure everyone that due process will take its course and appropriate action will be taken to cleanse our game of such indecorous behaviour and hooliganism.”

BPPA fixtures secretary Kamohelo Dube, who was suspended as he was part of the Kings team that caused the suspension of matches at Golden Pillars, could not be reached for comment.

According to Tawengwa’s letter of suspension, Dube is barred from performing any official duties during the suspension period and the DC will conduct    full investigations to determine  his suitability to hold such an office within the association.

With the BPA cup still ongoing, league matches will be played on Saturday and cup games will be played on Sunday.

In the league, Southwold Chikavangwena will face Skittle Inn, Dragons play against Entumbane and under fire  Queens face Exchange. Golden Lion will play against Raylton, Nkulumane Pool Club will clash against Southwold Originals and Lobengula Sharks will play against Ace Basement.

In other fixtures, Zimra will play against Black Eagles and Queens Pool  Academy will face ZPC. – @brandon_malvin