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Innocent Kurira, Sports Reporter
ZIFA Southern Region board member, Tizirayi Luphahla says the association will take a strict approach on teams to provide evidence that they can sustain the financial requirements to take part in the lower division league next season.
It was a weekend to forget in the league as four fixtures failed to kick-off as teams could not fulfil fixtures owing to financial constraints.

Log leaders Hwange got a 3-0 walkover after Ajax Hotspurs failed to travel to the coal mining town due to financial constraints. It was the same for Mosi Rovers after Mountain Climbers could not make the trip to Victoria Falls.

Makhandeni Pirates got free points as well because Indonsakusa are now defunct. All teams thttps://youtu.be/EVTtEgLzNX4hat were lined up to face Indonsakusa in the second-half of the season are getting free points after the franchise owner, Nothando Dube surrendered it at the end of June citing financial difficulties. Ratanang also failed to fulfil their fixture against Quality Foods.

“The events of the past week are regrettable. However, you will remember when the league commenced it was after Covid-19 and we were not strict on clubs largely because we were eager to resume football in the country. So, we were a bit lenient on the teams so that we could at least have football played again.

“It will be a different case next year as we will require clubs to prove to us that their financials are in place and can sustain them for a season. We are getting calls each week from teams wanting to postpone games but we are certain this will not happen next season,” said Luphahla.

Meanwhile, Hwange are just a point away from securing a return to the Premier Soccer League. With six points to play for, all Hwange have to do is get a draw in one of the remaining matches to seal promotion and return to the top flight.

Hwange are on 82 points while ZPC Hwange have 77 points but it will be all over if Chipangano secure just a point at home against Indlovu Iyanyathela at the Colliery Stadium on Saturday, the same day that ZPC Hwange get the free three points courtesy of the now defunct Indonsakusa.

Full results: Hwange 3-0 Ajax Hotspurs, Mosi Rovers 3-0 Mountain Climbers, Indlovu Iyanyathela 1-4 ZPC Hwange, Talen Vision 2-0 Zimbabwe Saints, Mainline 0-0 Bosso90, Makhandeni Pirates 3-0 Indosakusa, Arenel Movers 3-1 Binga Pirates, CIWU 2-1 Casmyn, Quality Foods 0-3 Ratanang–@innocentskizoe