The Castle Lager Premier Soccer League trophy will be delivered to the winners on Sunday by helicopter, the Premier Soccer League (PSL) said yesterday.
The league comes to an end this weekend with log leaders Dynamos taking on relegated Kiglon at Rufaro Stadium while second-placed FC Platinum will clash against another relegated club, Shooting Stars, across town at Gwanzura Stadium.
Dynamos and FC Platinum have an equal chance of taking the league title as they are both on 55 points, but separated by goal difference, with the Harare giants leading by four goals.
If Dynamos win their game at Rufaro, they will be crowned champions.
FC Platinum can only win the title if they beat Shooting Stars and Dynamos lose or draw. Such a situation has led to football supporters across the country wondering where the trophy will be displayed come Sunday.
Some had suggested that PSL take the genuine trophy to Rufaro because Dynamos are the ones leading the title chase and put a replica trophy at Gwanzura — in case the Harare giants falter and FC Platinum win their match by a resounding margin.
Although that line of thinking seems convincing, the league bosses yesterday said the trophy would be not be displayed at either of the venues.
They said it would be airborne during the two matches and would only be delivered after the final whistle, when the champion had been confirmed.
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“The trophy will be somewhere in the air as the two matches are being played. We will only deliver it to the winning team. Who would want to have a replica trophy when the other team will have the original one?” said PSL chief executive officer Kennedy Ndebele yesterday.
He added: “Plans are at an advanced stage to have the trophy delivered by helicopter. We have spoken to the league sponsors about this arrangement and they are very comfortable with it.
We are finalising it, I will let you know as soon as I get the finer details,” said Ndebele.
While either FC Platinum or Dynamos will be rejoicing at winning the trophy on Sunday, one of the four teams to be relegated this season would have discovered their fate earlier on Saturday.
The relegation battle is between Shabanie Mine, who are on 31 points, Monomotapa on 33 points and Masvingo United, who are a point above Monoz. Monoz host Masvingo at Rufaro on Saturday while Shabanie will welcome Highlanders at Maglas on the same day.
Besides Kiglon and Shooting Stars, Zimbabwe Saints are the other team that has already been relegated with one round of fixtures to play.
