Thupeyo Muleya Beitbridge Bureau
IT’S a dream come true for Beitbridge-based Division One outfit Border Strikers who sealed the Central Soccer League (CSL) championship and clinched a place in the Premier Soccer League for the 2016 season.
Vavheneki, as the team is affectionately known by their legion of fans, secured the title without kicking a ball on Sunday when they were automatically awarded three points after their opponents Sable Chemicals did not pitch up for the fixture.
Sable Chemicals could not travel to Beitbridge due to troubles bedevilling their employer and a bid to have the match postponed was rejected by the CSL executive.
CSL boss Felton Kamambo said they would present Border Strikers with the championship trophy in their next home game against ZRP Beitbridge in a fortnight.
“We want to congratulate Border Strikers on their success. On the Sable issue, we couldn’t postpone the match because we had taken a stand that we’ll not reschedule the last five games of the season. That’s tantamount to match fixing. We don’t want to be seen to be derailing the league,” said Kamambo.
Sable Chemicals club chairman Itai Matangira said they could not fulfil the fixture at Dulibadzimu Stadium because of a number of challenges with their employer.
Vavheneki captain Mike Variso said he was overjoyed to lead another Beitbridge team into PSL after having had a dance with the now defunct Tripple B.
“As players, we’re grateful to our technical team and sponsors as well as our fans who’ve travelled this road with us. At the beginning of the season, we made a vow to pick a lot of points and score goals as one of our strategies to win the league,” said Variso.
“We’re looking forward to a competitive season in the PSL next year. It’s our hope that we stay in the top flight league for good,” he said.
His coach Never Malunga said unity of purpose among the players, fans and technical team had seen them seal the Premiership slot.
“I’m excited, especially considering that I’ve managed to take the team to the PSL. We’re looking at beefing up the squad in all departments,” said Malunga.
“In the first season, our target is to pick up as many points as we can and avoid relegation. It’ll also be a morale booster for the team if we’re allowed by the PSL to use Dulibadzimu Stadium for all our home matches.
“The demands in the top flight league are high and the boys should keep focused. We also want to thank the Beitbridge community for their continued support throughout the season and we hope that we’ll maintain that bond for good,” he said.
Club chairman Jabulani Ndou said they had set up a team to look at upgrading and refurbishing Dulibadzimu stadium to meet PSL standards.
He said the team had a lot of support from local businesses adding that they will be able to sustain their stay in the PSL.
“We’re grateful to our board of trustees led by Maxwell Ngwenya and Hosea Muleya and we believe with their support, glory days are back for the Beitbridge community,” said Ndou.
“We’ve a committee which is working along with the Beitbridge Town Council in refurbishing the stadium so that we use Dulibadzimu for our home matches” said Ndou.
Weekend results
ZRP Beitbridge 1–0 Ivan Hoe, ZETDC Southern Region 2–2 MSU, Chrome Stars 1–3 Shabanie Mine, FC Platinum U19 2–1 ZPC Munyati, Blanket Mine 0–1 Gweru United, Vumbachikwe 3–0 Mvuma Stars , Border Strikers 3–0 Sable Chemicals, Tongogara 2–0 Silo United
Table
P W D L F A GD Pts
Border Strikers 27 18 6 3 40 11 29 60
Tongogara 27 13 9 5 30 12 18 48
Gweru United 27 13 7 7 39 24 15 46
Shabani Mine 27 13 7 7 36 21 15 46
ZPC Munyati 27 13 6 8 35 22 13 45
MSU 27 13 6 8 40 34 6 45
S/ Chemicals 27 13 5 9 30 30 0 44
FC Plat U19 26 12 6 8 26 19 7 42
Blanket Mine 26 10 8 8 27 20 7 38
Ivan Hoe 27 10 5 12 28 28 0 35
Chrome Stars 27 10 5 12 25 35 -10 35
ZETDC Southern 27 8 10 9 29 32 -3 34
Vumbachikwe 27 8 8 11 30 32 -2 32
ZRP Beitbridge 27 8 4 15 29 38 -9 28
Silo United 27 3 2 22 14 47 -33 11
Mvuma Stars 27 2 2 23 7 60 -53 8