Whawha confirm PSL participation

Sport
WHAWHA FC have confirmed their dance in the Castle Lager Premier Soccer League (PSL) next season ending speculation that the Zimbabwe Prisons and Correctional Services (ZPCS) side might not take part in the elite league due to financial woes.

WHAWHA FC have confirmed their dance in the Castle Lager Premier Soccer League (PSL) next season ending speculation that the Zimbabwe Prisons and Correctional Services (ZPCS) side might not take part in the elite league due to financial woes.

RONALD MOYO SPORTS REPORTER

The Central Region Division One League champions’ fate was confirmed on Friday following speculations that one of the Prison Correctional Services bankrolled sides, Whawha and Flame Lily, would not take part as the sponsors were not in a position to fund two teams.

Speculation had been rife that Whawha would be sacrificed, leading to the club’s franchise being linked with relegated Zvishavane-based side Shabanie Mine.

ZPCS management and representatives from the two teams had a meeting on Friday in Harare and it was agreed that both teams would receive financial support.

Flame Lily are sponsored by BancABC.

Club chairperson Musa Ntonga yesterday told Southern Eye Sport that the issue was resolved on Friday and the club had started preparations.

“Zimbabwe Prisons and Correctional Services will sponsor both teams,” she said.

“We have started preparations and we will be coming out in full force next season. We gave the coach the blessing to scout for players and inform us by January 5.”

She added that the club would help coach Luke Petros Jukulile keep some of the players who had a fine season.

Among them is striker Albert “Dracula” Matewu who netted 23 goals.

Jukulile said the team would not add any big names, but would engage his ZPCS counterparts who failed to win in their regions for quality players.

“We are not looking at names; we want young stars who are not attached to any team,” he said.

“There are good players in those other two teams that did not prosper in their regions; we will consult them for players. If their players make the grade, we will sign them.”.

Mutare-based Zifa Eastern Region Division One outfit Tenax and Southern Region Division One side Ntabazinduna are the two sides who failed to win the championship in their respective regions.

Ntonga confirmed Ascot Stadium in Gweru as the home ground for the PSL new boys. Also coming in is Dongo Sawmills, from Rusape and Tsholotsho Football Club, who will play their home games at the newly refurbished White City Stadium in Bulawayo.