By Lawrence Trusida
THE Premier Soccer League is confident of concluding the remaining five rounds of matches lined up before the end of the year, despite the rains which have been pounding in various parts of the country.
With other football stakeholders urging the Premier Soccer League to move the league season from the current March to December and align it with the international calendar where they play from August to April, the dress rehearsal proved to be a total disaster.
Heavy rains descended upon Harare this past Saturday and the Chibuku Super Cup match between Ngezi Platinum Stars and Cranborne Bullets ended up looking like a water polo match, as alluded to by Ngezi Platinum head coach Rodwell Dhlakama.
The rains started midway through the second half and by the end of the 90 minutes, the field was waterlogged and became dangerous for the players.
The following day, another match was played at the same venue and even though there were no rains, the field was still slippery, with players taking turns to fall.
With five rounds of league matches and the Chibuku Cup final still to be played this year, concern has been raised on whether the venues will be in a good state.
“We are confident that we will be able to finish the remaining rounds and we have always played in December, however, the FIB has been moving around and they advised stadium owners on the areas that need to be improved and we hope that will be done,” Kudzai Bare, PSL Communication & Media Liason.
Meanwhile, the rescheduled Match Day Two fixtures which were postponed after referees withdrew their services will now be played this weekend.
The action kicks off this Friday with Cranborne Bullets hosting Bulawayo City at the National Sports Stadium.
Saturday will see FC Platinum playing Chicken Inn at Mandava Stadium in the peak of the day’s fixtures while at the same time Yadah host ZPC Kariba at Baobab, Bulawayo City take on Manica Diamonds at Barbourfields Stadium, Herentals are up against Black Rhinos at the National Sports Stadium while Tenax welcome fellow Correctional services side WhaWha to Sakubva stadium.
A potentially explosive Sunday is on the cards as Highlanders host Ngezi at Barbourfields; while Dynamos make the long drive to Gibbo Stadium to face Triangle with battle lines being drawn as Lloyd Chitembwe faces his former side Harare City after dumping the city fathers for Caps United recently.
The post State of stadia a cause for concern appeared first on ZBC NEWS.