ASHER MOYO
SPORTS REPORTER
MASVINGO CITY-Eastern Region Soccer League (ERSL) have cancelled week 19 games and will this weekend start a three week long season break due to the non-availability of match venues.
Earlier on the league had indicated that they will take a two weeks break after week 19 fixtures but have extended it to September 2.
Confirming the development, ERSL vice-chairman, Simba Wisdom, said all league action will be on hold till September 2.
“The Eastern Region Soccer League week 19 matches have been cancelled. This has been caused by the early departure of Tenax Football Club to South Africa for the SADC Correctional games and also by the unavailability of match venues in Mutare and Rusape with Sakubva Stadium closed for renovations. Mutare Show Ground is also closed for the 2023 Agricultural Show and Vengere Stadium will be hosting the 2023 National Heroes gala. The league resumes action on the weekend of September 2-3,” he said.
Simba also highlighted that the second transfer window closed on July 31 and no new registrations shall be entertained.
“The Second Transfer Window closed on July 31 and no registrations shall be entertained except for International players returning home and free agents,” he said.
A total of 17 games have been played in the league so far and FC Wangu Mazodze is currently the log leaders with 38 points. Prison and Correctional Services outfit Tenax FC are second and three points shy of the log leaders.
Former PSL side Mutare City Rovers FC, Bikita Minerals FC and new boys Rusitu Tigers FC are tied on 31 points but separated by goal difference.
Chiredzi Stars FC who are singing the blues are rooted at the bottom of the log with 6 points from six draws, 11 loses.
The breather will give the teams the time to rest refresh and prepare for the resumption of the second half of the campaign. Clubs will have time to adequately plan and prepare for the remainder of the season.
The newly appointed ESRL administrator, Fungai Chingaira said this is international best practice for clubs to take a breather during the season and they expect the players to take a rest from the grueling games and desist from bad behaviour.
“As you are aware that the country is faced with the scourge of drugs and substance abuse and we urge our players to take a rest and not to engage in any vices that will affect their football careers.
“We also urge them not to engage in money games as this has a tendency of ending the players’ careers prematurely through serious injuries from these unsanctioned games.
“Although there is some money to be gotten from the money games the quick benefits are outweighed by the long term effects especially when one gets injured one may never play the game of football for life after getting say US$5,” said Chingaira.
