Castle Lager Premier Soccer League champions, Dynamos and basement side, Quelaton, will go down in history today when they become the first two clubs from Zimbabwe to be televised live on South African pay-per-view sports channel, Superpsort.
Report by Simbab Rushwaya The two teams are set to collide in the first round of the US$1 million Mbada Diamonds Cup at Rufaro Stadium this afternoon (kickoff — 3pm). The game is live on Supersport 9.
The PSL last week announced a five-year marriage with the South Africa-based television after failing to agree on terms with local broadcaster Zimbabwe Broadcasting Corporation (ZBC) TV, who unlike Supersport, wanted to be paid by the clubs to bring their matches live in the homes of Zimbabweans.
ZBC has given a total blackout on local premiership football since the season started earlier this year, forcing Twine Phiri and his league to look across the Limpopo River.
While ordinary Zimbabweans might not access the matches, players and clubs are sure to benefit.
Players stand to get the exposure, as the games will be viewed across Africa while clubs will get substantial cash to cater for players’ salaries, accommodation and transport.
Although financial details of the deal were kept under wraps, it is believed that clubs will each receive US$7 500 for the remainder of this season for being televised while they stand to pocket US$25 000 for next term. Supersport will pay US$26 750 for the 2014 season, US$28 622 (2015), US$30 626 (2016) and US$32 769 for the 2017 season.
Away from the Supersport transaction, blood and thunder is expected in the second round of matches of the richest knockout competition after yesterday’s action across the country.
- Chamisa under fire over US$120K donation
- Mavhunga puts DeMbare into Chibuku quarterfinals
- Pension funds bet on Cabora Bassa oilfields
- Councils defy govt fire tender directive
Keep Reading
Although the Dynamos/Quelaton duel will be screened, there are also other mouth-watering encounters today.
Dembare are expected to let loose former Caps United striker, Simba Sithole, who was rejected by the South African side, Mamelodi Sundowns. Little resistance is expected from Quelaton, who have been suffering heavy defeats against their rivals of late.
A battle of the security forces expoldes at Sakubva Stadium in Mutare, where the army side, Buffaloes, host police outfit, Black Mambas, while seething Moses Chunga’s Gunners lock horns with Chicken Inn at Pelandaba Stadium in Gwanda.
Chunga was yesterday quoted blasting Gunners president, Cuthbert Chitima, for suspending senior player, Tapiwa Mangezi, after the latter exchanged harsh words with the player. Chunga vowed to take Mangezi to Pelandanda in a move that will certainly set a combat between him and Chitima.
Fixtures Chicken Inn v Gunners (Pelandaba), Buffaloes v Black Mambas (Sakubva) Shabanie Mine v Hwange (Maglas) Dynamos v Quelaton (Rufaro)
Prize Money Winners: US$100 000 plus US$150 000 CAF Confederation Cup grant Losing finalists: US$60 000 Semi-finalists: US$30 000 Quarter-finalists: US$20 000 First round: US$10 000 Individual Prize Awards Player of the tournament: US$1 500 Top Scorer: US$1 500 Best Goalkeeper: US$1 500 Man of the Match — Every game: US$500
