ZIFA Southern Region is facing allegations of messing up after advising Bantu Rovers to proceed to the match venue with the full knowledge that ZRP Hwange would not show up.

The former Premier Soccer League side was supposed to play ZRP Hwange at Fairbridge last Wednesday, but the police side notified the Southern Region office that they could not travel for the game as their members were on duty.

Despite receiving communication from ZRP Hwange, Zifa Southern Region told Rovers to fulfil the encounter and the referee called off the game after 45 minutes of waiting, which technically gave the match to the Bulawayo team as a walkover.

Musa Mandaza, the Zifa Southern Region chairman, blamed a “breakdown in communication” for the mix-up and said he had since instructed ZRP Hwange to submit a report.

“Before making any decision we’ve to get a written report from ZRP Hwange. That’s the procedure. Yes they did call the office before the game and that communication came during the confusion that was there last week hence we told Bantu Rovers that the match was going ahead. But this is not a big deal, we will issue a statement once we’re in possession of ZRP Hwange’s report,” said Mandaza.

A ZRP Hwange official said they sent the report to the Zifa Southern Region office yesterday morning and the league’s bosses are expected to deliberate on the matter today.

The dilemma Zifa Southern Region finds itself in is that should a replay be ordered, Rovers will probably decline to foot the match officials’ bill as they paid them last week.

Wilbert Sibanda, Rovers’ general manager said: “We didn’t do anything wrong because before going to Fairbridge we asked Zifa if the match was still on and we were told it was. We went there; the referees came and waited for 45 minutes before calling off the game after going through all pre-match procedures, which include checking licences. We don’t know what decision Zifa will take, but I believe football rules are simple, if the referee blows to say it’s a walkover after opponents fail to attend, the club that is there gets points.”

Sibanda said they had no objection to a replay, but they want to know who would foot their bill.

“Look, we paid referees $225, confirmed with Zifa and we were told the game is on. There are expenses that include hiring of the ground, transport and camping, someone has to certainly own up. We can’t be made to pay double,” Sibanda said.

Meanwhile, league action continues this afternoon with Bulawayo Chiefs taking on Ntabazinduna at White City Stadium, while Talen Vision will be at home to Bosso 90 at Raylton.

ZRP Bulawayo Province, who held Rovers to a 0-0 at the weekend, entertain table anchors Makomo at Fairbridge while Black Boots travel to Hwange for a date with Technosphere.

Fixtures

Today: Bulawayo Chiefs v Ntabazinduna (White City), Talen Vision v Bosso 90 (Raylton), ZRP Bulawayo Province v Makomo (Fairbridge), Technosphere v Black Boots (Hwange)