Acting on
ZIFA’s proposed 20-team league and a National First Division, the PSL convened
an extraordinary meeting in Harare yesterday.
All the
representatives of the 18 clubs attended the indaba. They then came up with one
of the most shocking resolutions in the history of the local game.
The governors
unanimously voted against relegating any teams during the current term whose
curtain comes down this Sunday.
That would have
meant Kwekwe United, who have just 10 points in 33 matches, whose relegation
was confirmed almost two months ago, would have been saved. That meant all the
weekend games, including the Super Sunday decisive relegation fixtures, would
have been reduced to mere social league games, where nothing would have
mattered.
That would have
meant Dynamos, Highlanders, Manica Diamonds, Bikita Minerals, Triangle,
Greenfuel and Yadah would have survived the chop without earning it.
That would also
have meant Zambian gaffer Kelvin Kaindu’s superb work in pulling Dynamos out of
the precipice would have been nullified as a mere joke.
But people are
not zombies.
The foolish
decision, reached by the same people whose teams are facing the chop,
immediately drew the ire of the public and the backlash was unbearable.
Worse still,
the PSL wanted to have 22 teams in the league for next season, which meant
players would have been required to play 42 league matches.
This doesn’t
even take into consideration the unavailability of stadiums.
That would have
meant the season would have started as early as January given there would be
international breaks and other cup tournaments to play.
But the circus
also meant the very governors, who are supposed to guide the football statutes
in the country, breached those provisions beyond any measure just to safeguard
their teams’ PSL status.
Basically, the
2025 season would have been reduced into a boozers adventure where teams play
and win but with no losers at the other end.
In their own
island, where rules aren’t respected, the PSL had said:
“The PSL
resolved to suspend relegation for the 2025 season. The League will accommodate
the newly promoted teams, resulting in an expanded league of twenty-two teams
for a transitional period during the 2026 season.
“After the
conclusion of the 2026 season, the League will revert to the proposed twenty
team format beginning in the 2027 season.” But then ZIFA rubbished the
extraordinary meeting and its resolutions.
In a statement
released last night, ZIFA, who are under the leadership of Nqobile Magwizi,
said:
“The Zimbabwe
Football Association (ZIFA) wishes to advise the football community,
stakeholders, media partners and the nation regarding the promotion and
relegation framework for the 2025 Castle Premier Soccer League (PSL) season.
“ZIFA has taken
note of communication from the Premier Soccer League dated 18 November
2025,
indicating a resolution from its Extraordinary General Meeting proposing that
no teams be relegated at the end of the current season and that the league’s
membership be expanded to 22 clubs.
“The
Association wishes to make it unequivocally clear that this proposal cannot be
implemented.
“Promotion and
relegation are fundamental components of football competition and are essential
to maintaining the integrity, fairness and sporting merit of the league system.
“ZIFA therefore
confirms that four (4) clubs will be relegated at the conclusion of the 2025
Castle Premier Soccer League season, which officially ends on 23 November 2025.
“Should the
Premier Soccer League or any other member wish to propose an adjustment to the
number of participating teams, or propose any other resolution, such a request
must be formally submitted to the Association.
In accordance with ZIFA statutes, the proposal will then be tabled for
consideration at the next ZIFA Congress.”
And, rightly
so, the league is back to its normal settings; Scottland will be crowned
champions at Ascot on Saturday.
Then, we will
have a dog-eat-dog scenario on Super Sunday where the other three teams to join
Kwekwe United down will be determined.
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