HIGHLANDERS Football Club finally gave in to pressure to play Caps United in the semi-final of the Bob 91 Cup at Barbourfields Stadium on Sunday.
SUKOLUHLE MTHETHWA SPORTS REPORTER
By yesterday morning Bosso were still reluctant to play the match with club chief executive officer Ndumiso Gumede saying there were yet to receive the rules and regulations of the tournament.
“We still don’t have any communication on the Bob 91 Super Cup semi-final. Everything is being done on the telephone, but we want something that is written down. We want to know the rules and regulations of the tournament. If its nil-all on full time, do we go to extra time or penalties,” he said.
He said they wanted to know the prize money before they played.
“We need to have a breakdown on what we are playing for. We will incur camping costs. We are struggling we can’t be expected to incur expenses on behalf of other people. We are always told to run clubs like professional businesses but someone wants to bulldoze,” he said.
He said the club had already committed to play Border Strikers at Dulibadzimu Stadium on Sunday.
However, late yesterday Bosso received the rules and regulations which Gumede acknowledged.
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“We have received the rules and the regulations of the tournament. We have two first teams. The chosen 18 players will stay here while the other 12 and our juniors will go to Beitbridge.
“We still have a query because the rules state that all players participating in the Bob 91 Super Cup must have been verified by Zifa and PSL for the 2015 season. We are not sure which players are eligible to play; we have sent the list to PSL but the registration process is ongoing,” said the Bosso boss.
Tournament organisers spokesperson Charles Mabika had earlier in the day confirmed that the match was on.
“What I can tell you is that as far as we are concerned plans are underway and we are moving ahead. Zifa have sanctioned the match.
The rules and regulations have been sent to the teams.
“What we are yet to confirm is the prize money. We do not want a situation whereby we say the prize money is $1 million and we end up giving a team $600 000. You can check with me later in the day on the prize money,” he said.
According to the rules and regulations, the winner of the play-off between Highlanders and Caps United will play the defending champions Dynamos at Rufaro Stadium on March 8 2015.
If the result at the end of normal playing time is a draw, then penalty kicks will be taken.
In addition to the trophy the winners will get 35 gold medals, 35 silver medals to the runners up , five gold for match officials and 10 gold for dignitaries and organising committee.
The organisers will provide accommodation, transport and meals for the organising committee, 20 players, seven technical staff and three club officials only per club prior to and after the match.
The 6% levies to the Sport and Recreation Commission and Zifa have been duly waived by way of documented communication regarding such from the organising committee, to the relevant ministries in recognition of this tournament according to the rules and regulations.
Both sides are coached by new gaffers with Bongani Mafu is in charge of Bosso while Mark Harrison started work at the helm of Caps United last week.
The match could see the return the once “darling” of Highlanders Joel Ngodzo who has since joined the Harare side after falling out with Bosso.
Former Highlanders caretaker coach Mark Mathe makes a return, but on the opposite side.
Harrison will be targeting a second piece of silverware after claiming the Sino-Zimbabwe Cement Cup at Rufaro Stadium last Sunday following a 6-5 win over Dynamos in a penalty shoot-out after the match had ended in a 1-1 stalemate at fulltime.
Caps United have new acquisitions Roderick Mutuma, Justice Jangano Kudzai Nyamupfukudza and goalkeeper Victor Twaliki. Hardlife Zvirekwi, Ronald Pfumbidzai and Moses Muchenje are in Caps United books.
Bosso boast Bruce Kangwa, Valentine Ndaba, goalkeeper Ariel Sibanda and newboys who include Teenage Hadebe, Nqobizitha Masuku, Edmore Muzanenhamo and returnee Obadiah Tarumbwa. The charges for VIP are $10, $5 for wings and $2 for the rest of ground.
