COMMENT: Football fans haven’t lost out after all

WITH the Qatar World Cup which is set to begin on Sunday having caused major disruptions to the English Premier League (EPL) campaign, the most followed football competition in the world, it turns out that fans have not lost out after all.

The greatest football jamboree on earth was moved from its traditional slot in June and July to November and December in order to deal with the extreme heat at the height of summer in Qatar, causing a number of knock-on effects for leagues across Europe, chief among them being the EPL.

Qatar World Cup

While to many EPL’s halting on the weekend of 12/ 13 November, which will resume again on Boxing Day, has proved to be a bitter pill to swallow as there would be six weekends without games, this second World Cup held in Asia after the 2002 edition staged in South Korea and Japan, offers a different and exciting football menu.

Sixty-four games will be served to the army of football lovers in just 29 days, meaning there will be an average of 2,2 matches to watch and talk about on a daily basis.

It’s an open secret that EPL has provided good betting opportunities for many in the country and it’s pleasing to note that the forthcoming Fifa World Cup also provides local punters with a diverse chance of seeking to make money at different sports betting outlets in the country.

As if that is not enough, just like in the EPL, the Qatar World Cup will have an African taste as our motherland will be ably represented by Cameroon, Ghana, Senegal, Tunisia and Morocco whom we all hope will fly the African flag high at this esteemed football fiesta.

English Premier League

Afcon champions Senegal have been tipped by soccer pundits to go the furthest in the competition.
The West African nation reached the quarter-final of the World Cup held in Korea-Japan. The number one footballing nation in Africa has been tipped to make it to the semi-final of Qatar 2022.

While this will be the first weekend that the EPL has gone on a freeze, the Chibuku Super Cup final match between Bulawayo Chiefs and Herentals set for Sunday at Barbourfields Stadium provides football lovers with another rare football dish of Zimbabwe’s small football clubs that surprised all and sundry to advance to the final stage of this knockout competition.

Chibuku Super Cup

It’s the cheapest ever Chibuku Cup as the Premier Soccer League announced US$1 for the rest of the ground entry fees and US$2 for the VIP stand. VVIP entry will be strictly by invitation.
It’s a dream final for the two clubs, a game that provides a climax to local football action and as such

Barbourfields Stadium is expected to be filled to the rafters all in support of the local game as the EPL takes a bow for the World Cup that will see a number of celebrated international stars seek to outdo each other in their national team colours.

The selection of Zimbabwe’s finest 11 players on Friday will further provide solace to EPL followers as debates on who will finally be crowned the King of Zimbabwean football will ensue till the day of his crowning on 2 December at a dinner function set to be held in Harare.

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