• Highlanders chairman roasted over missing funds • Monomotapa in turmoil as Mapeza quits • Saints, Njube Sundowns merger off • Relegated CAPS FC take-over Shooting Stars franchise • Charity Shield teams increased to four • Eagles promoted to premiership, Lancashire relegated • Eagles fly high as Lancashire stall • Chitembwe new CAPS United coach • PSL play-offs enter critical stage • Madinda Ndlovu unveiled as Highlanders coach • Lancashire lead play-offs mini-league • Chikwaikwai named Soccer Star of the Year • CAPS United survive, Monomotapa claim their prize • Monmomotapa clinch premiership title • Dynamos slash Monomotapa's lead with emphatic win • Monomotapa, Dynamos set up tantalising season finale • Monomotapa get in mood for big party • 2008 Premier Soccer League Fixtures

Posted to the web: 28/01/2009 16:28:45
METHEMBE Ndlovu has completed a shock acquisition of Premier Soccer League club, Eastern Lions, it was announced on Wednesday.

ZIFA chief executive officer Henrietta Rushwaya confirmed the developments after receiving a letter from Lions, who survived relegation at the end of last season.

"This letter serves to inform you of the change of ownership of Eastern Lions to Bantu Rovers (Tshintsha Guluva) with immediate effect," wrote Lions chairman Lazarus Munagwari to ZIFA on Tuesday.

"The team will be based at Barbourfields Stadium in Bulawayo and their team colours are gold and black," Rushwaya confirmed.

The former Highlanders coach travelled to Harare on Tuesday to complete the registration process with ZIFA. On Wednesday, he was back in Bulawayo for a meeting with PSL secretary-general Kennedy Ndebele.

Both Ndebele and Ndlovu said an official statement would be issued once all the proper registration channels with the PSL had been finalised. That's likely to happen before the end of the week.

The acquisition of Lions and the transfer of their franchise from Mutare to Bulawayo means the country's second largest city will now have two teams, the other being Highlanders.

It is not clear how much money exchanged hands in the deal, but sources said Ndlovu, employed by HIV/AIDS organisation, Grassroots International as Zimbabwe Programme Director, could be a front for the organisation. One source suggested Ndlovu had paid US$50 000.

Bantu Rovers are set to be coached by former Highlanders striker and assistant coach, Gift Lunga.

He has reportedly lured a number of former Highlanders players to his side, among them Melusi Sibanda, Mkhuphali Masuku, Nhlanhla Dube and Farai Mujokoro.

The chosen colours -- gold and black -- will take Highlanders fans down memory lane to the days of their rivalry with 2003 champions, AmaZulu.

Rovers will become the fifth team in the Southern Region after Highlanders, Njube Sundowns (Gwanda), Underhill (Masvingo) and Hwange (Hwange).

2008 Premier Soccer League Play-Offs:

TEAM	P	W	D	L	F	A	PTS
P - Eagles	5	4	1	0	12	5	13
Lancashire Steel	4	2	1	1	12	7	7
Shabanie Mine	4	2	0	2	6	9	6
Mwana Africa	5	0	0	5	4	14	0

2008 CBZ Premier Soccer League Top Goal Scorers:

23 GOALS: Evans Chikwaikwai (Njube Sundowns)
16 GOALS: Cuthberth Malajila (Highlanders)
15 GOALS: Edward Sadomba (Dynamos)
11 GOALS: Charles Chiutsa (Monomotapa)
9 GOALS: Douglas Zimbago (Highlanders)
8 GOALS: Daniel Zokoto (Monomotapa)
8 GOALS: Phillip Makanje (Lancashire Steel)
8 GOALS: Norman Maroto (Dynamos)
7 GOALS: Makai Kawashu (Monomotapa)
7 GOALS: Tendai Nyamadzawo (Lengthens)

2008 CBZ Premier Soccer League Final Standings:

TEAM		Played	Won	Drew	Lost	G/F	G/A	Points
1	C - Monomotapa	30	18	6	6	41	28	60
2	Dynamos	30	16	10	4	41	25	58
3	Njube Sundowns	30	15	3	12	42	36	48
4	Shooting Stars	30	12	8	10	37	26	44
5	Lengthens	30	11	8	11	37	41	41
6	Gunners	30	10	10	10	42	39	40
7	Highlanders	30	9	15	6	34	25	39
8	Kiglon	30	9	12	9	31	32	39
9	Underhill	30	9	11	10	38	44	38
10	Eastern Lions	30	9	11	10	24	27	38
11	Motor Action	30	11	4	15	32	42	37
12	CAPS United	30	8	12	10	35	32	36
13	P/O - Lancashire	30	10	6	14	37	45	36
14	R - Chapungu	30	9	7	14	31	32	34
15	R - Masvingo United	30	8	9	13	34	49	33
16*	R - CAPS FC	29	5	10	15	29	40	25
* Docked 3 points for using suspended player v Motor Action

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