THE Castle Lager Premier Soccer League may be forced to extend its current season into next year due to the ongoing stadium crisis.
The league halted earlier this month to allow owners to carry out some quick repairs at the National Sports Stadium, Nyamhunga in Kariba, Wadzanai in Shamva, Vhengere in Rusape, Green Fuel Sports Arena in Chisumbanje and Sakubva in Mutare.
Although it was initially suggested fixtures would resume this coming weekend, this is now unlikely, with the Met Department forecasting that the rains will start falling in October.
With poor drainage systems at all available stadiums, it seems likely the season will continue into next year, potentially restarting in February.
Veteran sports caster and commentator, Charles ‘CNN’ Mabika disapproved the PSL’s decision and insisted that it would be a miracle if the league returned on July 1 as envisaged.
He seems likely to be vindicated after PSL chairman, Farai Jere, last week said they are likely to extend the current break until all the stadiums are ready.
With rains being predicated in October
With rains being predicated in October,
all available stadiums have previously proved to have zero capacity to host matches during the rainy season due to poor drainage systems
This means the league will be forced to make way for the rains and maybe continue next year.
It has never before been worse to the point that all stadiums in Harare are deemed unfit to host PSL matches.
One can only imagine that if it takes more than a month for the PSL to solve the stadium crisis, what more when the rains start falling.
To put this into perspective, nothing has changed since the PSL leadership stopped the league.
The situation at the National Sports Stadium and all other grounds which were expected to be flagged ready for action by this weekend remains the same.
It remains to be seen what decision the PSL will make which it didn’t consider before stopping the league.
At the moment, the eight teams using the National Sports Stadium have identified their preferred stadiums.
Dynamos are reportedly seeking refuge at Barbourfields Stadium in Bulawayo, with others settling for other available venues, Mandava in Zvishavane, Baobab in Mhondoro-Ngezi and Bata Stadium.
But the truth is that these stadiums will not weather the storm once the rains start, especially when they have to stage three matches every week.
