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Innocent Kurira, [email protected] 

GWERU-BASED Premier Soccer League side Sheasham FC has completed the remainder of the work which needed to be done at their Bata Stadium before the facility can be granted permission to host topflight matches.

The ambitious Gweru outfit is hoping to have their new home being assessed and approved before their next home game against Herentals this weekend. 

The completion of construction work is not a surprise as the club indicated a fortnight ago that they needed 14 days to finish outstanding matters at the facility.

Sheasham chairman Reginald Chidawanyika yesterday said they have already asked for an inspection of the facility by the Zifa First Instance Body (FIB) which they are hoping will be conducted any time. 

“We have concluded the work. We now await the inspection of the stadium which we are confident will pass the test,” said Chidawanyika.

The Premiership debutants were using Mandava Stadium as their temporary home ground while working on Bata Stadium. 

They played four home games at Mandava which all ended in stalemates against Chicken Inn (0-0), Yadah (1-1), Greenfuel (1-1) and Simba Bhora (1-1). 

Bata Stadium was then given the green light by the Zifa First Instance Body (FIB) to host league games with the construction work yet to be concluded and the facility went on to handle Sheasham and Highlanders encounter which ended 0-0.

But barely a week after that encounter, the PSL Emergency Committee ordered that Sheasham return to Mandava for the Caps United game as the facility in Gweru had some outstanding area it needed to attend to.

The league was concerned about the image of the game as well as that of spectators.

The PSL Emergency Committee then invoked Order 40.6 of their rules and regulations to which reads; “The PSL Emergency Committee has power to make decisions on matters not provided for in the PSL or Zifa Statutes.”

The decision was allegedly taken after frantic efforts to get the official correspondence granting permission and stating the timelines for outstanding works at the facility was not available.

Some of the work that needed to be done at Bata Stadium included.

(a) Clearing of debris

(b) Continuous maintenance of the turf (playing surface) (c) Equipping of doping control room

(d) Completion of terraces

(e) Use of quarry stones in the parking areas

(f) Use of non-slippery material on the tunnel pathway

(g) Complete signposting of the faculty.

Sheasham didn’t fulfil their home league match in Mandava against Caps United, indicating that their lease at the Zvishavane side had expired and also didn’t have funds to travel.

PSL offered them US$2 000 and secured booking of Mandava, but still, Sheasham didn’t pitch up for the encounter.

For failing to turn up for the game in Zvishavane, Sheasham will face disciplinary action. — @innocentskizoe