FC Platinum have said they could step in and take part in the African Champions League in the event that newly-crowned Premier Soccer League (PSL) champions Chicken Inn decide not to claim their ticket, while Dynamos have ruled themselves out completely.
BY TAWANDA TAFIRENYIKA
The Game Cocks, who won their maiden championship on Saturday after beating Harare City 3-1 with a game to spare, have cast doubts over their participation in the continent’s biggest club football tournament.
Chicken Inn, though, have until end of week to decide whether they will take part in the African Champions League next year. The Confederation of African Football (Caf) requires national football associations to register teams that will be taking part in the African Champions League and the Caf Confederation Cup on or before November 30.
Zifa chief executive Jonathan Mashingaidze said yesterday the new champions had until this week to confirm their participation. “Teams participating in Africa are supposed to be registered on or before November 30. So we are still waiting from the PSL and Chicken Inn for confirmation of their participation. They have this week to do so,” Mashingaidze said.
The Game Cocks, however, have said they would make a decision on their participation by Friday.
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FC Platinum spokesperson Chido Chizondo said yesterday they would discuss the offer.
“In the event that we are given that offer, we will discuss that possibility after the final matches because we have not been confirmed runners-up yet. Dynamos could end up being in second position,” said Chizondo.
Dynamos president Keni Mubaiwa, however, said they would politely turn down the offer.
“We won’t participate if invited. We want to earn the right to participate in the tournament, not to be offered the opportunity,” he said.
DeMbare won the title last season, but they did not participate in the Caf Champions League owing to financial constraints.
Their income has also dwindled over the past year with their main sponsors BancABC cutting on their funding.
Participation in the Champions League brings with it good financial returns, but only for teams that make it to the group stages.
However, the tournament also comes with its huge costs that are incurred through travelling across Africa and the hosting of other teams.
Harare City have already confirmed their participation in the Caf Confederation Cup after they won the Chibuku Super Cup — the biggest knockout tournament in the country — at the expense of giants Dynamos.
In the event that Chicken Inn decide not to enter the competition, whoever finishes second between Dynamos and FC Platinum will be chosen as replacements.
FC Platinum are in second position on the league table with 54 points the same as Dynamos, but have a better goal difference. They face already relegated Dongo in their final match of the season at the weekend while Dynamos take on army side Buffaloes.
In 2012, Chicken Inn finished third on the log, behind Dynamos and Highlanders, and since Bosso were banned from continental football that year, the Game Cocks were offered an opportunity to play in Africa, which they turned down.
Zimbabwean teams generally have not fared well on the African safari, except Dynamos who, in 1998, reached the finals of Champions League, losing 4-2 on aggregate to Asec Mimosas of Ivory Coast.