It was double celebration for Highlanders after club chairman Peter Dube was elected the new Premier Soccer League chairman in a weekend they also sailed through to the semi-finals of the Zimbabwe National Army Charities Shield.
Dube overcame Dynamos’ Kenny Mubaiwa by 11 votes to four in an election that was also attended by Zimbabwe Football Association chairman Phillip Chiyangwa.
Dube will hold fort until 2018 and the Bosso boss said he is going to continue the program they set out before Phiri was ousted by the Zimbabwe Football Association two months ago.
“I fell honoured but there is a lot of work to be done, not only at the Premier Soccer League but in football in Zimbabwe,” said Dube.
The chairman of the PSL is the leader of the top flight football league and also sits on the all-powerful Zimbabwe Football Association board that is led by Chiyangwa.
The losing candidate Mubaiwa said he would also contest the chairmanship when that post becomes vacant in 2018.
“People are not interested in the PSL chairmanship. The last time, it was me and Twine and now it was me and Dube. I will contest again in 2018,” said Mubaiwa.
Dube also had another cause for celebration after his club sailed through to the semi-finals of the Zimbabwe National Army Charities Shield after a 4-2 penalty shootout win over Bulawayo rivals Chicken Inn.
The two teams had ended one-all in regulation time. Highlanders now join Harare City, FC Platinum and ZPC Kariba in the semi-finals.
Harare City fielded a predominantly second-string side but were still good enough for the Green Machine of Caps United winning 4-3 also on penalties after the two teams had settled for a one-all draw.
Harare City assistant coach, Mkhupali Masuka, said they are happy with the outcome adding that this is just the beginning of many things to come.
“It was all about giving the youngsters a run against Caps United. They showed something and going forward, I think, we have the depth,” said Masuku.
On the other hand, Caps United coach Lloyd Chitembwe was wearing a brace face saying the Zimbabwe National Army tournament is one of those games they are using to prepare for the start of the Castle
Lager Premier Soccer League program.
“It’s good that such tournaments happen before the start of the season. These are the kind of games that looking back you say this is one situation that helped you to build your team for the season,” said Chitembwe.
