
Venues Cold War…Superstition Reigns Supreme
Premier Soccer League Champions Chicken Inn have dismissed allegations that they don’t want to play at the same venue that Philani “Beefy” Ncube’s Bulawayo City will be using.
Already this week fixtures have been amended two times as clubs in Bulawayo changed venues and dates for their matches, a circus that PSL is not happy about.
The Gamecocks’ match against Harare City had initially been penciled for White City on Saturday. After learning of the unavailability of their first choice stadium, they opted for Barbourfields on Sunday.
With news of Bulawayo City’s shift from Luveve to Barbourfields, Rahman Gumbo’s charges shifted to Luveve.
“We registered three venues and in terms of where we play, it is upto the coach to select the venue that suits his type of play for that particular game.
“He had opted for White City but it is unavailable this weekend and that is why we had to move again,” said Chicken Inn chairman Lifa Ncube.
However, there is more to what meets the eye.
Bulawayo City’s decision to change from Luveve has not been explained. How Mine will host Border Strikers at the same venue.
The Bulawayo City backed team had initially picked Luveve for their game against FC Platinum which was penciled for Sunday. Now they will be playing on Saturday at Barbourfields, the same stadium that the Gamecocks will use the following day.
A source said: “There is always superstition whenever Beefy is involved. Clubs will not speak openly about it, but they will not want to use the same venue with his team because it is believed you will not win the game.
“When the Gamecocks changed from White City to BF, they didn’t know Bulawayo City would do likewise and now they can’t change again.”
PSL chief executive Kenny Ndebele said they will hold a meeting to find out why there is so much shifting of venues mid-week, something that was giving them problems.
“It is very untidy when you have to send amended fixtures every week. It creates problems for us as it means we have to take so many aspects into consideration.
“We know it affects the media and other stakeholders. The television guys have indicated they are not happy. We will hold a meeting to discuss that issue,” he said.
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