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Ricky Zililo, Senior Sports Reporter
HEADS of the four Zifa Regions meet in Harare tomorrow to discuss logistics for the end of season Castle Lager Premier Soccer League play-offs that will feature their representatives.

Stanley Chapeta, chairman of the Central Region, the Eastern Region’s Davison Muchena, Willard Manyengavana of Eastern Region and Southern Region boss Musa Mandaza convene in the capital to deliberate on the play-offs.

The PSL will axe two clubs at the end of the season, meaning only two out of the four regional champions will be promoted into the topflight league after play-offs.

Mandaza said: “This is our first meeting where we want to try and finalise things related to the play-offs.

“We’ll have to come up with where the games will be played, talk about funding, which is very critical, and if the games are to be aired on television we have to know about the broadcasting rights, among other things.”

In all the four regions, former PSL teams are at the top of their league tables.

Bantu Rovers sit at the top of the Southern Region Division One League table with 41 points off 17 games and enjoy a six-point lead over second-placed Bulawayo Chiefs.

In the Northern Region, army side Black Rhinos are runaway leaders with a 12-point gap over Herentials. They have 52 points from 22 outings.
Shabanie Mine lead the Central Region table with 40 points, three ahead of Blanket Mine after 20 games.

Buffaloes are tied at the top of the Eastern Region table on 46 points with Yadah after 19 matches.

Mandaza said tomorrow’s meeting also seeks to establish the format of the play-offs to avoid confusion at the end of the season.

“We have to know whether the games will be played at one venue on the same day or they will be on a home and away basis.

“Establishing the formula now will also shed light on the funding of the games because there are logistics issues like stadia hire, transportation of teams and their accommodation, as well as referees’ fees,” said Mandaza.

He defended the regional chairmen’s initiative to drive the play-offs, saying Zifa are the custodians of the play-offs.

“It is true that a resolution was passed that PSL will fund the games, but this is a Zifa baby. As regions, we’re the ones producing teams for the PSL and as such we will chair and coordinate these play-offs,” said Mandaza.

@ZililoR.