MAGWEGWE PIRATES have been expelled from the Southern Region Soccer League without kicking a ball after failing to make a commitment on paying affiliation fees to the Zifa Southern Region.
FORTUNE MBELE SPORTS REPORTER
Pirates were promoted from the Zifa Bulawayo Province Division Two League as they were runners-up to Bulawayo City (then BCC Golden Stars) who have already made a full payment of $3 000 in affiliation fees.
Zifa Southern Region chairman Musa Mandaza yesterday confirmed they had done away with Magwegwe Pirates saying by the end of the day today, they will be know which team will be coming on board to replace them.
“It is now a closed chapter. We have tried to accommodate them but they have not shown any commitment. We have written to the province to second another team and by close of day tomorrow (today), we will know which club will be replacing Magwegwe Pirates.
A team that came position three or four in Division Two will be coming in. We want the team that is coming in to have ample time to prepare for Division One. That team must be promoted on merit. The Magwegwe Pirates gap will be covered before the league starts,” Mandaza said.
The league is set to start on March 21 and Pirates had been fixtured to play Bulawayo Chiefs (formerly Plumtree Chiefs) at Raylton Sports Club in their first game on that day.
Makomo, promoted from the Zifa Matabeleland North Division Two league have also paid their affiliation fees in full, while Amagagasi also from Matabeleland North has made a part-payment.
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