RETAIL giant TM says it is still negotiating with the Premier Soccer League (PSL) for the staging of a match between two of the biggest teams in Zimbabwean football — Dynamos and Highlanders — in September. TAWANDA TAFIRENYIKA
TM finance director Onias Makamba, responding to emailed questions from NewsDay Sport, confirmed yesterday that they were planning to stage a tournament featuring the two teams, but could not divulge finer details, saying deliberations with the relevant parties were still underway.
“Our Big Brands Bargain Bonanza was launched on July 17 2014 and will run till September 6 2014,” Makamba said.
“Our proposed signature event that will mark the end of the promotion is the match between two of the biggest brands in local football — Highlanders and Dynamos.
“The discussions with all the interested and relevant parties are still in progress and we will avail the pertinent details requested in your email once we conclude the deliberations.”
However, PSL chief executive Kenny Ndebele said they had not sanctioned the tournament and were unlikely to do so given the fixture congestion they are faced with.
The PSL also has to ensure a quick end to the 2014 season so that it does not spill into the African Union Region Five Games that will take place in Bulawayo from December 3-17.
Already, Barbourfields and Luveve Stadiums in Bulawayo have been closed to facilitate renovations for the games, forcing Highlanders to move their training sessions to Fairbridge.
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Highlanders will also, in the near future, play their home games at Mandava Stadium in Zvishavane.
Three other Bulawayo teams — How Mine, Chicken Inn and Bantu Rovers — will also be affected by the renovations.
Ndebele also stressed that clubs were free to secure their own sponsorship, but would not be allowed play in any competitions during the season.
“The official position of the league is that we have not sanctioned that tournament and we are unlikely to do so given our tight programme,” Ndebele said.
“We have the Chibuku Trophy and the Mbada Diamonds Cup so we have a congested fixture programme.
“All sponsors must come through the league, but if a club can secure its own sponsorship, it will be for their activities and not the league.
“If they want to play in a competition without coming through the league, it can only be allowed during the off-season.
“The standing resolution of the board is that we cannot have just two clubs taking part in the tournament because all the other clubs must benefit as well.”
This followed reports that Dynamos and Highlanders had agreed to the deal.
PSL Revised Programme — July 18 to September 21 2014 (All weekend fixtures unless stated using MW for mid-week) July 18 — NetOne Wallet Cup Quarter-finals July 26 — Castle Lager Premiership Matchday 16 July 28 — Barcelona Coaching Clinic August 2 — Castle Lager Premiership Matchday 17 August 6 — Castle Lager Premiership Matchday 18 (MW) August 9 — Castle Lager Premiership Matchday 19 August 16 — Chibuku Cup Round One August 20 — Castle Lager Premiership Matchday 20 (MW), August 23 — Castle Lager Premiership Matchday 21 August 30 — NetOne One Wallet Cup Semi-finals September 3 — Castle Lager Premiership Matchday 22 (MW) September 6 — Castle Lager Premiership Matchday 23 September 12 — Chibuku Cup Quarter finals September 17 — Castle Lager Premiership Matchday 24 (MW) September 20 — Castle Lager Premiership Matchday 25
