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Tadious Manyepo-Sports Reporter

THE Premier Soccer League has pleaded with fans to desist from hooliganism and thuggery ahead of the commencement of the 2024 league season. 

In the past, including last term, some matches had to be abandoned due to crowd trouble sparked by indiscipline amongst the supporters. 

And the PSL, who have been meeting key stakeholders like referees, clubs, security, and medical teams over the past weeks, Last Friday held a consultative engagement with fans from all the 17 confirmed teams to compete in the top flight this season. 

Only fans from the ZIFA Eastern Region Division One representatives, who are yet to be determined, did not attend the workshop. 

“We have had a fruitful discussion with the fans. We have been given really good feedback by the supporters on what causes violence and the possible solutions,” said PSL spokesperson Kudzi Bare.

“The fans are owners of the game and we have to find ways of stopping violence and hooliganism amongst them.

“We are very happy that they have given us positive points which we should implement to try and stop the cancer in our football. 

“As the Premier Soccer League, we have met key stakeholders over the past weeks all in a bid to enhance our league.

“We have met the referees, the media, the clubs, security, and medical personnel as we plan to improve the general appeal of our football going into the new season.” 

The 2024 term is scheduled to kick-off this weekend or next week. 

The fans pledged to ensure a violence-free season. 

Highlanders Supporters Association (Bulawayo Chapter) secretary general Shamiso Ncube hailed the initiative by the PSL to bring all the fans under one roof and engage them. 

“Sometimes violence is caused by the fact that fans do not get a platform where they meet, mix, and mingle like the one created by the PSL today (last Friday),” she said. 

“Having free discussions like this with the PSL is a major step in the right direction. 

“This creates an atmosphere of love and belongingness to the game that we all love. 

“After this workshop, I don’t think we will see any form of violence taking place at the stadiums this coming season.”

Chairman of the Simba Bhora supporters, Noah Ndombo, whose club will be playing home games at Wadzanai in Shamva said violence has no place in the game of football. 

“We know football is a game of high emotions but there shouldn’t be any good reason for fans to engage in or cause violence,” said Ndombo. 

“This workshop has been an eye opener and we will go back to our fans, engage them chapter by chapter and share what we have learnt here. That way, I think, we will have a flawless game in our country.”

Moses Magawa of CAPS United said the PSL should do more engagements with fans across the country. 

“I think hooliganism is one of the factors holding our football back. The PSL has come up with a master-stroke and we should applaud that,” said Magawa. 

“Engagement is the answer to every problem and we are glad that is what the PSL has done. 

“Football should bind people together rather than split them. 

“I think the PSL should do more of these engagements. We have picked a lot of lessons from this workshop and we are really happy. 

“We promise to educate our fellow fans to ensure a hooliganism-free season going into the league marathon.” 

Bolutholizwe Ncube from Chicken Inn, Tafadzwa Washington (Arenel Movers), Lisutu Ndlovu (Hwange), Traverton Mandava (Yadah), Onias Kuripi (Dynamos) and Stanley Mudawarima (Manica Diamonds) all echoed the same sentiments.

Premier Soccer League chief executive officer Kenny Ndebele oversaw the workshop.