THE Premier Soccer League programme which had been suspended earlier this week to pave way for the FIFA international break is set to return this weekend.
However, there is discord already as giants Dynamos immediately declared they will not be able to fulfil their trip to the Lowveld to face Manica Diamonds since they have three players called up to the national team.
The Glamour Boys have their captain Frank Makarati, Tanaka Shandirwa in the national team announced by ZIFA yesterday, with goalkeeper Prince Tafiremutsa also getting his first call.
Defending champions FC Platinum, who also have an away trip to Nyamhunga to face ZPC Kariba, have four players in Baltemar Brito’s squad.
These include goalkeeper Wallace Magalane, Brian Banda, Thandolwenkosi Ngwenya and reigning Soccer Star Walter Musona.
The PSL games were cancelled on Tuesday after ZIFA had indicated the Warriors will play Botswana in an international friendly match at the National Sports Stadium on Saturday.
The game, however, failed to materialise and the league bosses yesterday announced in a circular to the clubs that the games are back on.
“This serves to advise that following consultation with the ZIFA Normalisation Committee, the postponed Castle Lager PSL Match-day twenty seven (27) fixtures will be played on 14 to 15 October 2023 as initially communicated. Find attached the fixture schedule,” said the PSL.
Although officials allayed fears as there were arrangements in place to cushion the affected clubs, giants yesterday wrote to the authorities expressing their reservations on the impending trip to Gibbo after contributing three players to the national team. They also have head coach Genesis Mangombe, who is the Warriors assistant coach, unavailable.
DeMbare were requesting a postponement of their game against Manica Diamonds, in a letter from club chief executive officer Jonathan Mashingaidze.
“Dynamos Football Club hereby inform your esteemed office and person of our inability to fulfil the PSL Fixture Number 27 against Manica Diamonds FC on Saturday 14th October 2023 at Gibbo Stadium, Triangle.
“Our inability to fulfil the fixture in question has been occasioned by the unavailability of three (3) of our players and the Head coach owing to national duty this weekend.
“Our players broke camp yesterday upon our receipt of official communication from your office, dated 11th October 2023, which communication informed all clubs of the cancellation and postponement of all League games to next week.
“As if that were not enough, your office sent us the rearranged Fixtures for next week.
“Our players were then released by the club and some of them had to travel outside of Harare to be with their families.
“It is next to impossible to have our players regrouping and train for a day for the rearranged fixture which had been officially called off due to national team assignment falling under FIFA dates for such assignments.
“May you kindly have our fixture rearranged so as not to clash with the national team assignments,” reads the letter from Mashingaidze.
Dynamos who lost considerable ground in the championship race following the draw to Triangle last week and the home defeat by Herentals, are hoping to double their efforts in their quest to remain relevant in the championship matrix.
Fixtures:
Saturday: Herentals v Yadah (NSS), Ngezi Platinum Stars v Chicken Inn (Baobab), Manica Diamonds v Dynamos (Gibbo), Bulawayo Chiefs v Simba Bhora (Luveve), ZPC Kariba v FC Platinum (Nyamhunga), Black Rhinos v GreenFuel (Bata)
Sunday: Triangle v Hwange (Gibbo), Highlanders v Cranborne Bullets (Barbourfields), CAPS Utd v Sheasham (NSS)
Herald
