Supa Cup cancelled over money
Mqondisi Dube | Friday August 18, 2017 15:34
Highlanders had earlier yesterday pulled out after organisers, Joy Foundation, reportedly failed to deposit the agreed appearance fee. Joy Foundation had promised to pay each participating member of the four teams P5,000 as appearance fees.
The tournament was supposed to feature another Zimbabwe side, Dynamos, TAFIC and Mochudi Centre Chiefs.
“We wish to inform that our club, Highlanders FC will no longer be participating in the Supa Cup in Botswana on August 19, 2017 as originally indicated.
Our withdrawal has been a natural consequence owing to failure by the organisers of the tournament to adhere to previously agreed contractual obligations,” Highlanders chief executive officer, Nhlanhla Dube said last night.
Joy Foundation cited “unforeseen circumstances” for the cancellation. “The Joy Foundation wishes to apologise profoundly for the cancellation and would like to assure the public of their continued intent to stage the tournament at a later date. Those who bought tickets should return them to places they bought them for a refund,” Joy Foundation director, Joy Setshedi said.
The one-day tournament was supposed to kick-off with a semi- final tie between Dynamos and TAFIC before Highlanders play Chiefs soon after. It is unclear if the tournament will go ahead following Highlanders’ withdrawal.
Fans had been primed for a possible final between Zimbabwe’s bitter foes, Dynamos and Highlanders.
For the local sides, the tournament was meant to provide a further opportunity to fine tune for the new season, which was due to start this Saturday but has been moved forward.