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Uhuru Cup: ‘Zifa should decide, not SRC’

Soccer
THE PSL says it is Zifa’s responsibility to decide on the abandoned Independence Cup final match between Dynamos and FC Platinum and not the Sports and Recreation Commission

THE Premier Soccer League (PSL) says it is Zifa’s responsibility to decide on the abandoned Independence Cup final match between Dynamos and FC Platinum and not the Sports and Recreation Commission (SRC).

BY TAWANDA TAFIRENYIKA

The match between the two teams at the National Sports Stadium on Saturday was abandoned in the 65th minute owing to power failure with Dynamos leading 1-0.

Yesterday, Zifa said they would make a decision with input from the SRC, but the PSL has a different view.

PSL chief executive Kenny Ndebele said the SRC does not run football and therefore cannot make a decision on the abandoned match.

“I don’t know why Zifa would want the SRC to make a decision on the abandoned match. It is Zifa who should make that decision. It is their responsibility and cannot run away from it.  They are the ones who run football and should not try to create confusion. If you were to ask me, the match could have been rescheduled for today (yesterday). They should come up with a decision but of course consult the SRC,” said Ndebele.

Should the Uhuru Cup final be re-staged it could affect the league programme considering the national team assignments which involves the African Under-23 Championships qualifiers, the Cosafa tournament, the 2017 African Cup of Nations qualifiers, the league games, cup tournaments like One Wallet Cup and Chibuku Super Cup.

The PSL is also planning to have two week break a situation that could result in fixture congestion.

However, Ndebele said he would only comment after Zifa announces if there is going to be a replay. Zifa’s spokesperson Xolisani Gwesela told the association’s official website www.zifa.org.zw,   they could not pronounce any decision without the input of the SRC.

“Zifa alone cannot decide on such a sensitive issue, therefore we will wait till after the meeting with the SRC whereupon a binding decision concerning the way forward will surely be established,” he said.

Gwesela further expressed sincere regret over the unfortunate and unacceptable disruption to such an important event on the national calendar.

“We deeply regret the unexpected disturbance on such a significant day in the history of the country, but we accept that such accidents can happen hence we have to move forward by finding the fairest of solutions to the situation at hand.

“We also appeal to the participants, FC Platinum and Dynamos, as well as the thousands of supporters who were at the match venue to bear with us for all the inconveniences caused,” he added.

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