Ndumiso Gumede
Sikhumbuzo Moyo, Senior Sports Reporter
HIGHLANDERS are undecided about taking part in the Caf Confederation Cup in the event they win the Chibuku Super Cup.
Bosso booted out Mutare City 2-1 in the first round of the tournament to progress to the quarter-finals and chief executive officer Ndumiso Gumede said there is yet to be a position regarding the club’s participation in the Confederation Cup.
Highlanders are now strong favourites to go all the way as they remain the only giant in the Chibuku Super Cup after Dynamos and Caps United were booted out in dramatic fashion at the weekend.
“While I cannot say with certainty that we will not be participating or taking part, it’s the finances involved which are a bit prohibitive, but that decision of participating or not will have to be made by the executive committee,” said Gumede.
Most local clubs have been reluctant to participate in the Caf Confederation Cup as it is less lucrative than the Champions League. Winners of the Caf Confederation Cup get $625 000, which is less than the $750 000 runners up purse for the Champions League. Winners of the Champions League pocket $1 million.
If they decide to take part, Highlanders will be making a return to the African safari after serving a three-year ban for “refusing” to take part in the 2011 edition of the tournament after being registered by Zifa without their consent.
They were found guilty of violating Chapter V, Article 13 of the Confederation Cup regulations which stipulate that “every club withdrawing from the competition after the establishment of the fixtures will be forbidden from participating in all Caf inter-club competitions for three years following its withdrawal”.
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