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BIG CUP, BIG MONEY . . . Information and Communication Technology and Postal and Courier Services Minister Webster Shamu (left), the guest of honour, joins NetOne managing director Reward Kangai (right) and PSL vice chairman Peter Dube in unveiling the trophy during the launch of the One Wallet Cup tournament in Harare yesterday

Grace Chingoma Sports Reporter
FOR the first time in history, Dynamos and CAPS United will clash in three competitive matches, spread over three Sundays, after the Harare giants were paired to meet in the One Wallet Cup quarter-finals at the tourney’s launch in Harare yesterday.
The tournament is being sponsored to the tune of US$500 000 and US$270 000 will go towards prize money, with the winners of the One Wallet Cup walking away with US$80 000, massive pickings for playing just three games.

The runners-up will pocket US$50 000.

The losing semi-finalists would each get US$30 000 while the losing quarter finalists will receive US$20 000.

For the semi-finals, another draw would be conducted while dates and venues would be confirmed by the Premier Soccer League.

Dynamos, Highlanders, Harare City and FC Platinum were seeded by virtue of their positions in the league championship race last year, while CAPS United, Chicken Inn, How Mine and Triangle were not.

Information and Communication Technology and Postal and Courier Services Minister Webster Shamu, who was the guest of honour, excused himself from picking the first ball, given that he was choosing the team to meet Dynamos.

Shamu is also the DeMbare patron.

The ministry’s permanent secretary, Sam Kundishora, picked DeMbare’s opponents and provided the glamour tie of the quarter-finals.

Dynamos and Highlanders will use the kit provided by sponsors that will also have the logo of their main sponsor BancABC.

BancABC, represented by Muriel Dowa, Castle Lager, represented by Patricia Murambinda and Mbada Diamonds, represented by Tafadzwa Chiremba, graced the occasion.

Shamu commended the companies.

“We had problems with Charity Shield last year. So let’s have healthy competition to achieve a common goal so that football is fully sponsored. We see teams such as Manchester United with many sponsors on their shirts,” said Shamu.

“There should be a stage where NetOne, Telecel, Econet pour money into soccer because what you want is mobile penetration and a bigger market.

“So I would like to commend BancABC, Delta and Mbada Diamonds for coming together, this is the spirit we want.”

He saluted NetOne for sponsoring football during such trying economic times. He hailed the company for affording soccer fans the chance to use their One Wallet facility to buy tickets for the matches.

“This e-ticketing is a major leap into the future as NetOne stamps its authority as an ICT player. ICT is an enabler to economic development as the Government is pursing the new economic blueprint ZIM-ASSET, this is real development having a mobile network create a convenient payment platform that can be used in various sectors in the economy.

“More encouraging is the first that NetOne has scored by making OneWallet a payment option for entry into these matches.

“I would like to encourage the PSL to encourage strongly the usage of OneWallet in entering their league matches.

“This is a challenge I am setting for PSL and NetOne management, next time we watch a league match, OneWallet must be used as payment option.

“Today we are witnessing a relationship with the PSL where One Wallet will score another first in ensuring fans can pay for their tickets using the mobile money service. This is truly commendable,” said Shamu.

NetOne Managing Director Reward Kangai said they will continue to partner football.

“NetOne has had a long-standing relationship with the Premier Soccer League from as far back as 2006 at club level with CAPS United.

In subsequent years NetOne has further cemented that relationship in football by also supporting Zifa.

“In the past three years we sponsored the NetOne Charity Shield, which kicked off initially as a two-team tournament in 2011 and grew in stature to become a four-team tournament in 2012 and 2013.

“Today, I am glad to unveil to you the partnership we have struck with the Premier Soccer League. There were various deliberations behind the scenes between NetOne and the PSL to make sure that this relationship sees the light of day.

“At this moment, I would like to commend the sponsors of football in Zimbabwe namely Delta Corporation, BancABC, Mbada Diamonds, among many other sponsors, for various Cups and also team sponsors.

“This is a serious contribution towards the development of soccer in Zimbabwe and you can see the value of the sponsorship from the talent that we export to South Africa and Europe.

“Today I am happy to make public our union with the PSL for the next three years that NetOne will be sponsoring what would be known as the One Wallet Cup,” said Kangai.

Fans will be able to use One Wallet to buy tickets to watch the matches.

“I would like to thank our technical partners Afrosoft in creating the solution for NetOne in line with our vision of being the home of seamless communication solutions for anything and anyone by the year 2020.

“Working closely with the PSL you will receive further instructions in the Press of the mechanics of which gate to use when you have paid using OneWallet,” said Kangai.

Castle Lager Premiership vice chairman Peter Dube said they share the same core values with NetOne and will safeguard the tournament.

“The Premier Soccer League is proud to be in partnership with NetOne Cellular in hosting the One Wallet Cup.

“The PSL and NetOne share the same core values and we look forward to working with an organisation whose commitment to quality and success are on top of their business plan.

“I would like to articulate the significance of NetOne’s support for this partnership, our relationship with NetOne is not just about football, it is a relationship that has strengthened over many years,” said Dube.

Full Draw
Friday: Harare City v Triangle (Mandava, 1pm), FC Platinum v Chicken Inn (Mandava, 3pm).

Saturday: Highlanders v How Mine (Ascot, 1pm).

Sunday: Dynamos v CAPS (National Sports Stadium, 3pm).