The ManicaPost
Fungayi Munyoro Sports Correspondent
ZIFA Eastern Region has arranged an induction course for the recently promoted Division One teams to be held at Sakubva Stadium in two weeks time.
The regional sectary-general, Wisdom Simba, said the involved clubs are Green Fuel that was promoted from Manicaland, ZRP from Marondera and Masvingo United from Masvingo. Masvingo United are not new to the league and are only making a return.
“The course is aimed at helping newly promoted clubs to understand the general management and administration of a club as well as the registration of players ahead of the new season.
“Black Eagles and United Lions were demoted. It means we are supposed to demote three, but we did not receive any team demoted from the Castle Lager Premier Soccer League. So far, we have Masvingo United from Masvingo, ZRP from Marondera and Green Fuel from Manicaland. Eastern Region is made up of these three provinces and each province promotes one team into Division One.
“We are hoping to have 18 teams and those teams must have the capacity to sustain themselves in the league. We will avail the final list after our meeting,” he said.
Asked to comment on whether the newly formed Diamond FC will play in the ZIFA Eastern Region League, Simba, said: “Diamond FC is an aspiring team which intends to play in our league and given that they meet the requirements for admission they will be part of the league.”
Simba said they would soon announce dates for the recently launched Diamond Cup. The tournament is meant for teams that finished on the top four last season. The tournament will be officially launched soon and is bankrolled to the tune of $10 000 by Zimbabwe Consolidated Diamond Company (Pvt) Limited.
Meanwhile, newly promoted Chisumbanje-based side, Green Fuel chairman, Seandreck Munyoro, said they were ready to play in Division One. He said they would start preparations soon.
Green Fuel finished on top of the Chipinge District League and went for play-offs where they clashed with Midway and Hideout, both from Rusape.
They were in Group A. Green Fuel won all their games and finished on top. Group B had Ratings, La Sakubva and Clearwater. Ratings were the group winners and played against Green Fuel in the finals. Green Fuel won the promotional ticket via a penalty shoot-out after a nil-all stalemate. They beat Ratings 3-1.
