DELIGHT: PSL boss Matangaidze • 2008 league season gets underway • Zimbabwe league season delayed by a week • Highlanders through despite defeat • Dynamos through to 2nd round • Dynamos take slender lead on champions league return • Malajila leads Highlanders rampage • Muhoni gatecrashes H'landers party • Dynamos look to past for inspiration • Goal shy Highlanders strikers on the spot • Dynamos, Highlanders meet in Charity Shield • 2008 Premier Soccer League Fixtures

By Mutongi Gava

THE Premier Soccer League (PSL) has signed a $4,5 trillion sponsorship deal with the Commercial Bank of Zimbabwe for the 2008 season, officials confirmed Wednesday.

PSL chairman Tapuwa Matangaidze said he was elated with the massive deal which was subject to inflation adjustment.

“We are obliviously happy with the support that we are getting from our sponsors CBZ. Their faith in the league has inspired us and shows that they are happy with the way the league is being run,” Matangaidze said at the sponsorship unveiling at a Harare hotel.

“We are striving to be one of the best leagues in Africa if not the best. CBZ have played their part and it is now up to the PSL family to deliver. I have confidence that we will provide maximum entertainment.”

The winners of this year’s competition will walk away with $300 billion while the first runners-up will pocket $240 billion. Under the new sponsorship deal, the team which will finish 16th on the log will receive nothing.

All the 16 Premiership sides received $50 billion each for operational costs. The financial package is meant to cushion teams from transport and accommodation expenditure.

Last year CBZ sponsored the Premiership and the CBZ Cup which were both won by Dynamos.

The CBZ Cup was sponsored to the tune of $1,5 billion while the Premiership was pegged at $5 billion although the sponsorship packages were later adjusted for inflation, currently at bovver 100 000 percent.

CBZ Holdings managing director John Mangudya said that the decision to fund the league was proof of the company’s growing confidence in local football.

“Our confidence was not misplaced as the injection of our corporate support and resources gave impetus to increased levels of competition,” Mangudya said.

The sponsorship package from CBZ came hard on the heels of yet another one by Nestle Zimbabwe which funded the Nestle Champion of Champions Charity Shield.

Nestle gave $190 billion for the two legged competition which was won by Dynamos who beat Highlanders 2-1 on goal aggregate.
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