Harare teams relegation, 'disadvantage Dembare'

AT least, although not for now, it's "disadvantage DeMbare". Will the relegation of three teams based in the Harare tilt the scales in the Castle Lager Premier Soccer League against Dynamos?

The 2013 season saw the relegation of two former champions, Motor Action and Monomotapa, and police outfit Black Mambas, all based in Harare, while Beitbridge-based Tripple B, was the odd one out.

But will Bulawayo teams especially Highlanders, benefit more from the unexpected shift or turn of events.

For long, the Premiership has had more teams based in Harare than anywhere else because of the promotion system that appeared to favour teams from that part of the country.

However, since the advent of the Central Region and the Eastern Region, the relegation system changed and with four teams instead of two going under in 2010. Previously there were play-offs, which saw clubs mostly based in Harare eventually finding their way to top-tier football because of their financial muscle.

However, a change in the system that saw four teams being relegated and the same being promoted on a regional basis has ensured the game is spread to all parts of the country.

Zifa's move to create four regions (Northern, Southern, Eastern and Central) resulted in one team from each area being elevated to the Premiership each year.

The teams that were promoted this year are Bulawayo Chiefs, who will be based in Bulawayo or Plumtree, Hippo Valley (Chiredzi), ZPC Kariba (Kariba) and Gweru-based returnees, Chapungu, while it was not anticipated that three teams located in the capital would be given the boot in one season.

It has happened this year and the development might come as a refreshing scenario to most football lovers outside Harare while those in the Sunshine City will be complaining that they would be watching fewer Premiership games.

Dynamos had been the greatest beneficiary of the system because of its huge following in Harare and were virtually playing most of their "away" games at home, particularly at their home ground, Rufaro.

Even when playing at home other teams in the capital facing DeMbare would opt for Rufaro to ensure they maximised on gate takings.

The Harare-based teams also largely benefited in terms of huge transport and accommodation costs that go with fulfilling away fixtures.

Come next season, Caps United and Harare City will be the other two PSL teams in the capital.

The number of teams from Bulawayo would likely increase to four in the first half with Bulawayo Chiefs playing in the city before their earmarked move to Plumtree.

Highlanders' chairman Peter Dube said it was a blessing having the game spreading across the country rather than being concentrated in one place and that it was good for the development of the game.

"It is unhealthy to have football concentrated in one area as fewer talented players are identified at a younger age but with teams spread around the country chances of discovering a football gem increases. This will obviously impact on the national team composition in a positive way," said Dube, although adding that travelling costs for his club would remain the same with trips to Kariba and Chiredzi.

He, however, said they (Highlanders) would benefit when travelling to Gweru and Plumtree (the home town earmarked by Chiefs).

Chicken Inn chairman Lifa Ncube echoed Dube's sentiments saying transport costs would not change much while accommodation expenses were likely to go up. "Accommodation in small towns is more expensive and the distance we would be travelling to Kariba means transport costs remain constant.

The good thing is top tier football is being taken to new areas such as Kariba, Chiredzi and maybe Plumtree. In the future we hope we would see football fans in areas such as Victoria Falls also watching the PSL matches," he said.

Ncube, however, welcomed the situation adding it presented an even league, as all teams had to travel more often for their away games.

"Teams based in Harare were obviously beneficiaries of having more teams there as they don't get to travel more often, but in the case of Dynamos, I think they have a huge base of travelling supporters hence they will continue to enjoy the cheering despite where (ever) they are playing," he said.

Dynamos chairman Kenny Mubaiwa agreed with Ncube saying his side boasts of support throughout the country.

"I believe we have fans all over the country and we will be cheered on wherever we go. The only difference here is that our fans in Harare won't watch us as many times as they are used to but the advantage will go to our supporters outside Harare as they see more of our games," he said.

However, Dube said for a team with a huge support base playing its away matches in their home town remained an advantage.

Ironically at the inaugural modern day PSL league in 1993, there were seven Harare-based teams in the league, among them Caps, Dynamos, Black Mambas, Black Rhinos, Black Aces, Fire Batteries and Darryn T.

The trend continued over the years with the lowest number of teams from Harare in the PSL being five.

The last time Bulawayo had the highest number of teams in the league was in 2004 when they had AmaZulu, Highlanders, Railstars, Njube Sundowns and Zimbabwe Saints.