PSL stick to Baobab Stadium decision

PREMIER Soccer League chairman Farai Jere says there will be no change of venue for the Chibuku Super Cup final between Ngezi Platinum and Dynamos set for December 3 at the Baobab.

The Dynamos executive and fans have been lobbying for the game to be played at a neutral venue instead of Baobab Stadium, which is home to Ngezi Platinum.

DeMbare feels having the game in Mhondoro is against the principles of Fair Play.

However, Jere says there is no chance of Dynamos getting their wish.

“The PSL works with rules. We don’t work with what people want but what is in the rule book. Our rules and regulations are very clear.

We don’t look at who is crying and who is making a lot of noise. Dynamos are going to fulfil their fixture at Baobab Stadium as planned. This has always been the trend.

“I remember last year we had a discussion in our group and it was the Ngezi Platinum governor who wanted the Chibuku final to be moved away from Mandava Stadium but we did not heed that call. Football is a game of rules so play by the rules and follow the rules. They might write a hundred letters but nothing is going to change because we are following a trend and a rule book,” said Jere.

Previously, teams that have played the final at home have gone on to lift the cup.

FC Platinum won the tournament twice after playing the finals at Mandava in 2014 when they beat Harare City in a penalty shoot-out and also in 2021 when they needed another tie-breaker against Ngezi Platinum.

Harare City won the tournament twice after beating Dynamos 2-1 at the National Sports Stadium in 2015 and then in 2017 against How Mine at Rufaro. Ngezi Platinum won their only Chibuku Super Cup title in 2016 on home soil when they thrashed FC Platinum 3-1.

Triangle hosted the 2018 edition at Gibbo and beat Harare City 2-0.

Last year’s edition was held at Barbourfields where Bulawayo Chiefs enjoyed the hometown comforts to beat Herentals in the final.

Dynamos, however, will need to go the extra mile to convince the PSL, who are empowered by the tournament rules to fix the dates and venue of the final.

Part of the Regulations state that the responsibilities of the PSL Secretariat include among other matters;

“2.4.1.1 Supervising general preparations and deciding on the competition format.

“2.4.2 Fixing the dates and venues of the matches.

“2.4.3 Determining the match schedule and kick-off times for the matches.”

Under the same guidelines, clubs are also expected to adhere to the decisions made by the PSL office.

“3.9 On entering the competition, the participating clubs, officials, and their players automatically undertake to: i. Observe and comply with the Premier Soccer League Statutes, rules and regulations, directives, circulars, guidelines, and decisions as well as national and international laws.