VICTORIA FALLS, Jul. 30 (NewsDay Live) – Victoria Falls-based Mosi Rovers have withdrawn from the Zifa Southern Region Division One League with immediate effect after crippling financial challenges made it impossible for the club to continue fulfilling its fixtures.
In a letter dated July 28 addressed to Zifa Southern Region chairman Cris Mtungwazi, the club formally notified the league of its decision to exit the competition.
Mosi Rovers said the decision followed a review of its financial position after efforts to secure sponsorship and other funding failed to ease mounting operational costs.
The club said it could no longer sustain expenses associated with competing in the league, including travel, accommodation, player welfare, match preparations and other day-to-day operations.
It also acknowledged that it had already forfeited recent matches after failing to honour fixtures, leaving it at risk of automatic expulsion under league regulations.
“In light of these circumstances, we believe that an orderly withdrawal is the most responsible course of action for the club and all stakeholders involved,” club secretary Marvel Nyathi wrote in the letter.
The withdrawal deals a blow to the Southern Region Division One League, which had progressed without major disruptions despite the financial pressures facing many clubs in Zimbabwean football.
Zifa Southern Region spokesperson Ngqwele Dube said the league was disappointed by the development and would tighten entry requirements to ensure clubs are financially prepared before being admitted into the competition.
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“As a region we are deeply saddened by the challenges faced by Mosi and we are disappointed that they are leaving at this point of the league when the competition was moving smoothly. It’s very disappointing,” Dube said.
“As a league, this is a lesson for us. We are taking steps and measures to ensure that all the teams that we admit into the league are financially capable of taking part in the league.
“We are putting measures so that when we admit teams, we find ways of ensuring all teams can meet the financial obligations that come with participating in the league.”
Mosi Rovers thanked the league, players, technical team, sponsors, supporters and the football community for their support during the club’s participation in the competition.
The club said it remains committed to developing football in Victoria Falls and hopes to reorganise and return to competitive football when its financial situation improves.
