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Xolisani Gwesela

Sports Reporter
ZIFA have reiterated that this season four teams will be relegated from the domestic Premiership while the same number of clubs will also be promoted Association spokesperson Xolisani Gwesela said the status will only change once the ZIFA Congress decide otherwise.

“As it stands, the position is at the end of the 2017 season, four teams will go up while four teams will go down to Division One. It means the PSL is now an 18-member league until or unless the ZIFA Congress, which is the biggest decision-making body of football in this country, decides otherwise and changes it. The ZIFA Congress is the one which determines the composition of the PSL teams,” he said. Premier Soccer League chief executive Kenny Ndebele also reiterated that four teams will be relegated but referred further questions to ZIFA.

“We understand that four teams will be going down and four teams will be promoted but for more details contact the ZIFA chief executive,” he said. This year’s relegation battle is very interesting since last season only two teams got the chop. The matrix is very complicated this term with teams from eighth position, occupied by Highlanders with 37 points, not safe from the dreaded chop.

There are seven games remaining in the season. Bantu Rovers will be officially relegated should they lose their next match. The Bulawayo side have 13 points from 27 matches and even if they win their remaining seven games, they can only take their tally to 34 points. Tsholotsho (20 points), Hwange (26), Shabanie (30 points), Harare City (31points), Yadah (32points), Bulawayo City (32 points), as well as Chapungu, Triangle and Black Rhinos are all not safe from relegation.