Heather Chikonan’ombe
GWERU – Having fought and lost a fierce battle to stay in the premiership on a match fixing technicality over Herentials FC, Chapungu FC have accepted their fate and will be playing from the unfashionable division dungeons this season.
In their failed efforts to remain in top flight football, Chapungu had previously ditched ZIFA Central Region in protest of an ‘unfair’ judgment.
Wind has it however that the club has since approached ZIFA Central Region chefs with tails between their legs seeking reprieve to enable them revive their PSL ambition from the lower tier league.
Their humble move, amid a little too late, will see them benefit from the ZIFA bailout fund worth ZWD65 000 which every team in the region is getting for sustenance.
The bailout is however with a condition that they pay ZWD54 000 affiliation fees for the season, the soccer body have clarified.
“Chapungu had initially given us their back but we however offered them another chance,” he said. Participating in the league also remains their sole discretion and we are not going to force them.
“They are as well obliged to pay the same affiliation fee as paid by the other clubs which was agreed at our annual general meeting,” ZIFA Central Region chairman Stanley Chapeta said.
“Amid whatsoever transpired, we have officially admitted them into the league and we hope their presence will make this league a more competitive. Tops to benefits expected, they will also get the Covid-19 relief funds which all clubs are getting if they affiliate with us. As for now, we need to see their commitment first,” he added.
