CASTLE Lager Premier Soccer League (PSL) side Caps United said they will not appeal against the fine imposed on them and on their player Hardlide Zvirekwi by the PSL disciplinary committee this week. TAWANDA TAFIRENYIKA SPORTS CORRESPONDENT
The team was on Wednesday found guilty of contravening Order 31 of the Castle Lager PSL Rules and Regulations for their supporters’ misconduct during a league match against Buffaloes held at Gwanzura Stadium in April this year.
Zvirekwi was found guilty of contravening football rules during the same match when he allegedly poured urine on the opposition’s substitute bench.
The club was slapped with a $1 750 fine, $250 of which was suspended for the rest of the season on condition they are not convicted of any offence involving crowd trouble while Zvirekwi was ordered to pay $2 000 for his troubles.
Caps United public relations manager Joyce Kapota yesterday said they had decided not to appeal against the ruling saying that’s the only logical thing to do as the appeal fee outweighs the fine.
However, she said the club did not condone hooliganism and had been trying to educate supporters to desist from violence.
“We have decided not to appeal because if you look at it we were fined $1 500 and yet the appeal fee is $3 000. As a club, we do not condone hooliganism and we are trying to educate our supporters not to be involved in violence,” she said.
The PSL disciplinary committee was chaired by Don Moyo.
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Meanwhile, the Green Machine will look to progress to the second round of the Chibuku Super Cup when they face off with Chapungu at Rufaro Stadium tomorrow.
The Taurai Mangwiro-coached side have been in good form in recent weeks in the league, racking up 19 points from a possible 27 to move to third position on the log standings, two points below leaders ZPC Kariba.
They will be hoping to carry that momentum into the $500 000 tournament, whose winners are assured of a cool $75 000.
Waru Waru as Chapungu are fondly referred to by their fans, are determined to progress in their inaugural major cup competition since their return to top-flight football.
The airmen seek to follow the footsteps of How Mine who defied odds by progressing all the way to the final of the Mbada Diamonds Cup in their maiden season.
Going into tomorrow’s match, the airforce team, a distant 10 points behind their weekend opponents, will obviously be motivated by their 3-0 league triumph against the same opponent early this year.
The airmen coach John Nyikadzino was, however, not getting carried away by that previous result.
“We have prepared adequately for the match. We are ready and confident of a positive outing,” Nyikadzino said.
He added: “They are in top form, but that doesn’t matter, when we go into a match we do not look at any one’s history we just play our normal game.
“The league win is not an advantage; actually it is a disadvantage because the players might be complacent.
“But as a coach I know that league and cup competitions are different and I am not concentrating on our last match against them. “We do not have any injury worries in our team. Everyone is available for selection.”
Nyikadzino believes his team’s temperament against big teams which has seen the side beating Dynamos this season, would carry them through again tomorrow.
Chibuku Super Cup fixtures Today: ZPC Kariba v Harare City (Rimuka), FC Platinum v Bantu (Mandava), Caps United v Chapungu (Rufaro), How Mine v Chicken Inn (Mandava) Sunday: Dynamos v Black Rhinos (Gwanzura), Highlanders v Shabanie Mine (Ascot), Hwange v Triangle (Colliery), Buffaloes v Chiredzi (Sakubva)
