ZIFA Northern Region Division One secretary-general Sweeney Mushonga reckons that his league is getting stronger than ever before and says it will continue to provide teams that would compete for the league title once promoted into the Premier Soccer League.
HENRY MHARA SPORTS REPORTER
The Northern Region division is, in most quarters, rightly recognised as the strongest of the four regions who feed the Premier League, by virtue of them providing teams who went on to do exceptionally well in the top tier division.
Motor Action, Gunners and Monomotapa were all promoted from the Northern Region One in recent years and went on to win the Premier League title.
Harare City came agonisingly close last term, only losing the title on a goal difference to champions Dynamos while ZPC Kariba who was promoted into the premier league last season is currently third on the league table and with a very good chance of winning the title.
According to Mushonga, this is as a result of hard-work and dedication from both the teams and the executive that is running the league.
And it appears the corporates are beginning to appreciate that hard work, and are joining in the party.
Japan World Navi, a leading company in the pre-owned auto export business joined this season and are the league’s premier sponsor.
- Chamisa under fire over US$120K donation
- Mavhunga puts DeMbare into Chibuku quarterfinals
- Pension funds bet on Cabora Bassa oilfields
- Councils defy govt fire tender directive
Keep Reading
Local company Supreme Panel beaters have also came in and sponsors individual awards while Yadah TV, a division of Prophetic Healing Deliverance Ministries church this week poured in $30 000 for a top eight knockout tournament which kicks off this weekend.
““It is all because of hard work especially from the clubs. The teams are playing good football and games are becoming very exciting to watch. There is a lot of commitment from the players and once promoted most of them are making their names in the Premier league and other leagues abroad. Our clubs are doing well in the PSL notably Harare City last year and we are equally happy with what ZPC is doing. That is our main objective to produce teams that would compete for titles in the PSL and currently we are in the right direction,” said Mushonga.
“We are also grateful to the sponsors whose efforts are also contributing immensely to the league’s growth. They are doing a great job in creating employment for our players and they should be applauded for that. The supporters should come in numbers to support their teams as well as giving full value to our sponsors,” added Mushonga.
Mushonga yesterday announced the venues for the Yadah TV Top Eight knockout tournament which kick-off this weekend with two quarter-final matches set to be played while the remaining two has been scheduled for next weekend.
Log leaders Gunners host Starbill at Lafarge Stadium on Saturday afternoon before Bindura United take on Ngezi Platinum the following day at Trojan Mine in Bindura.
Teams selected to compete in this tournament were in the top eight as at this mid-season.
Winners will get $8 000 and a floating trophy while the losing finalists will walk away with $5000.
Yadah TV Top Eight Knockout Cup fixtures
Saturday: Yadah Gunners vs Starbill (Lafarge Stadium).
Sunday: Bindura United vs Ngezi Platinum (Trojan Stadium)
