Sports / Soccer
NetOne Charity Shield changes format
02 Mar 2013 at 04:43hrs | Views
THE traditional Premier Soccer League season opener, the NetOne Charity Shield, might take a new format after indications that the semi-finals will be played at the same venue on the same date.
What will even be more exciting for the soccer fans is that the organisers are also contemplating on having the final on the same day and venue.
According to well-placed sources, the semi-finals of the Charity Shield, whose total package is yet to be revealed, will definitely be outside the capital with Mandava Stadium being proposed as the possible venue while Barbourfields Stadium could play host to the final.
"The idea behind having a one-day jamboree came from SuperSport who will screen the matches live on television and everyone is really excited about the deal, especially having the semi-finals and even the final on the same day and venue," said the source.
There are concerns however, that Mandava Stadium might be shelved due to accommodation worries in Zvishavane, considering that SuperSport will come with a large crew as well as the teams. Barbourfields Stadium will be on standby.
Unlike in previous years where the pre-season cup was contested for by the league winners and the major cup tournament winners, sponsors this year changed the format to involve fans where they will vote for their favourite teams through a short message service (sms). The top four teams in terms of votes will then proceed to the semi-finals and winners will clash in the final.
So far Castle Lager Premier Soccer League champions, Dynamos are leading in votes with 5 108 votes, followed by 2009 champions Monomotapa who have 4 214 while last year's league runners-up and 2006 champions, Highlanders are third with 3 033 votes. Troubled Caps United who last lifted the league title in 2005 are fourth with 2 781 votes with FC Platinum garnering 2 701 votes to sit on fifth position.
The bottom three teams are more than 2 000 votes behind, Bulawayo's Chicken Inn are sixth with 351 votes, followed by asbestos miners Shabanie Mine who have 323 votes. Coalminers, Hwange are eighth with 236.
Contacted for comment on how the teams will play, Premiership chief executive officer Kennedy Ndebele said the league will be meeting with the sponsors this afternoon to deliberate on, among other things, the format and venues.
"The format and venues are likely to be known after our meeting with the sponsors tomorrow (today) afternoon," said Ndebele.
Meanwhile, Dynamos' and Highlanders' principal sponsors, BancABC say they are excited about having more sponsors involved in football in the country as it signalled growing confidence in the sport by the corporate world.
"The Premier Soccer League, being the governing body for the local league oversees the administration of tournaments and club sponsorship and we have confidence in them to work out all issues relating to football sponsorship," said BancABC corporate communications manager Cynthia Chizwina.
She was responding to questions on how they would deal with the possibility of another territorial war between them and NetOne that erupted last year.
They fought over rights of space on uniforms.
Dynamos eventually played wearing the Charity Shield final in BancABC branded kits but NetOne responded by withholding the prize money.
What will even be more exciting for the soccer fans is that the organisers are also contemplating on having the final on the same day and venue.
According to well-placed sources, the semi-finals of the Charity Shield, whose total package is yet to be revealed, will definitely be outside the capital with Mandava Stadium being proposed as the possible venue while Barbourfields Stadium could play host to the final.
"The idea behind having a one-day jamboree came from SuperSport who will screen the matches live on television and everyone is really excited about the deal, especially having the semi-finals and even the final on the same day and venue," said the source.
There are concerns however, that Mandava Stadium might be shelved due to accommodation worries in Zvishavane, considering that SuperSport will come with a large crew as well as the teams. Barbourfields Stadium will be on standby.
Unlike in previous years where the pre-season cup was contested for by the league winners and the major cup tournament winners, sponsors this year changed the format to involve fans where they will vote for their favourite teams through a short message service (sms). The top four teams in terms of votes will then proceed to the semi-finals and winners will clash in the final.
So far Castle Lager Premier Soccer League champions, Dynamos are leading in votes with 5 108 votes, followed by 2009 champions Monomotapa who have 4 214 while last year's league runners-up and 2006 champions, Highlanders are third with 3 033 votes. Troubled Caps United who last lifted the league title in 2005 are fourth with 2 781 votes with FC Platinum garnering 2 701 votes to sit on fifth position.
Contacted for comment on how the teams will play, Premiership chief executive officer Kennedy Ndebele said the league will be meeting with the sponsors this afternoon to deliberate on, among other things, the format and venues.
"The format and venues are likely to be known after our meeting with the sponsors tomorrow (today) afternoon," said Ndebele.
Meanwhile, Dynamos' and Highlanders' principal sponsors, BancABC say they are excited about having more sponsors involved in football in the country as it signalled growing confidence in the sport by the corporate world.
"The Premier Soccer League, being the governing body for the local league oversees the administration of tournaments and club sponsorship and we have confidence in them to work out all issues relating to football sponsorship," said BancABC corporate communications manager Cynthia Chizwina.
She was responding to questions on how they would deal with the possibility of another territorial war between them and NetOne that erupted last year.
They fought over rights of space on uniforms.
Dynamos eventually played wearing the Charity Shield final in BancABC branded kits but NetOne responded by withholding the prize money.
Source - chronicle
