The Herald

Clubs salute Jere

A UNITED FRONT . . . New PSL chairman Farai Jere (left) is all smiles as he is congratulated by the league’s chief executive Kenny Ndebele in Harare on Sunday after the CAPS United boss won the elections to lead the top-flight league. — Picture by Lee Maidza (H-Metro)

Tadious Manyepo Sports Reporter
ZIMBABWE’S Premiership clubs have hailed Farai Jere as their substantive leader, with many pinning their hopes on the Harare businessman to drive a revolution that will turn around the top-flight league.

Jere beat Triangle United’s Lovemore Matikinyidze to become the PSL’s substantive boss.

The PSL had been without a substantive leader since Peter Dube’s departure nearly two years ago.

Jere went straight into business yesterday by having a meeting with his deputy, Lifa Ncube, whom he described as an outstanding and visionary individual who can help him transform the league.

He then went on to meet the PSL secretariat, led by chief executive Kenny Ndebele, where he assured the league’s workers that their jobs were safe contrary to speculation that they will be fired should he take over.

Jere has also invited ZIFA president Philip Chiyangwa to make his first visit to the PSL offices this morning as he preaches the gospel to end the boardroom battles which has plagued the two organisations in the past.

And the PSL clubs believe they have the right man for the job.

Harare City chairman Alois Masepe said they had trust in Jere.

“Harare City Football Club would like to congratulate the newly-elected Premier Soccer League chairman whom we believe will steer the ship and help transform local football to a better level.

“It is our fervent hope that he will work hard to professionalise the league. He is a man who is capable of doing wonders for the league. We should be somewhere in terms of running the league.

“Jere is a man of dignity and has always shown the zeal to administer football given the way he has managed to professionalise CAPS United.

“We will support him unconditionally in this journey. He needs support from stakeholders and I am quite convinced he will be able to deliver. We wish him the best in this journey in his four-year term at the helm of PSL,” Masepe said.

Ngezi Platinum Stars chairman, Jeremiah Gasitene, said Jere was capable of turning around the fortunes of PSL and deserves all the clubs’ support.

“We would like to congratulate him (Jere) for his election to the PSL’s chairmanship position.

“It’s a sign that the league stakeholders trust his leadership qualities. We all hope to work with him. What we do not doubt is his ability to deliver. We hope he will implement his vision well.

“We will all be looking up to him for guidance. It’s always good to have someone of repute at the helm of the PSL and we hope he will do well,” Gasitene said.

Giants Dynamos were also happy with Jere’s election with president Solomon Sanyamandwe wishing him well.

“Dynamos Football Club is fully behind the new PSL chairperson whom we are very confident will take us to the Promised Land.

“There is no doubt about his capabilities. His management skills are there for all to see. Look at how he has managed CAPS United.

“He is an accomplished administrator who deserves the post and we will support him as much as possible because we know he will take our football far.”

Premiership newboys Herentals might have missed on the chance to vote after their representative arrived at the election venue late, but they also saluted Jere.

“The experience we have had in our stay in the top-flight tells us that we needed someone of Farai Jere’s calibre at the helm of the PSL.

“We would like to congratulate him on his ascendency,” read a statement from Herentals.

The Premiership will play their first games under the Jere era when the league, which had taken a break due to international fixtures, resumes with eight matches lined up for tomorrow and one on Thursday.

Castle Lager Premiership Fixtures
Tomorrow: Ngezi Platinum v ZPC Kariba (Baobab); Chicken Inn v CAPS United (Luveve); Nichrut v Bulawayo City (Ascot); Black Rhinos v FC Platinum (NSS); Shabanie v Yadah (Maglas); Herentals v Bulawayo Chiefs (Rufaro); Mutare City v Highlanders (Vengere); Triangle v Harare City (Gibbo)

Thursday: Dynamos v Chapungu (Rufaro)