Zvishavane residents and traditional leaders have blasted the Caf leadership for their diabolical decision to bar FC Platinum from using Mandava for their Champions League tie against El-Merreikh of Sudan on Saturday.

A dark cloud hung over the town yesterday and all you could see were sad faces as fans tried to come to grips with the sad news of missing Champions League action.

Fans took turns to slam Caf.

Henry “Dzama” Moyo, a staunch Shabanie Mine fan and electrical dealer in the town, said Caf were a horrible organisation.

“It’s very shocking and they are acting like capitalists. They have failed us and they have failed the nation. FC Platinum had provided planes but they have refused to come to Mandava.

“God will be on our side and FC Platinum will win. It is a pity that I can’t travel to Harare but I wish the team well,” he said.

Tawedzera Moyo, a vendor in the town, said this was bad not only for Zvishavane but for football in general.

“It is very bad for our town. We were going to watch top-class football on display but all the attempts by Zifa and FC Platinum have hit a snag and it’s very painful,” said Moyo, a DeMbare fan.

Chief Mapanzure, Chief Mafala, Chief Mazvihwa and Chief Hwedza held a media conference and slammed Caf’s double standards.

“Caf has double standards and we are surprised why they refused to have the match played in Zvishavane,” said Chief Mapanzure.

“They have deprived the community and our children the chance to watch one of Sudan’s top teams in action with FC Platinum as we feel it could have given the children the passion to take soccer seriously.

“We would like to thank the Government for the positive steps they had taken in affording FC Platinum planes to ferry the visitors.

“It is just disturbing that the organisation called Caf is not considerate and they do not want soccer to be spread. We can’t have our people paying US$50 to travel to Harare.

“We are now calling upon the business community to come to Zvishavane and build a hotel here. The hotel is not to cater for soccer only but there are a lot of activities here because of the mines surrounding the town.”

Shabanie Mine coach, Luke “Vahombe” Masomere, also joined the chorus.

“Mandava Stadium is the home ground for FC Platinum and they must play there whether they win or lose,” said Masomere.

“I feel the Caf decision is not fair.”

A spiritual leader in the town, Pastor Zhanje of the Baptist church, also questioned Caf’s decision.

“We want people here to watch football because we can’t ferry fans to other towns.

“Saka varombo havachaona bhora here?

“We wanted all Christians to go and watch soccer on Saturday and we had gone on that drive but our hopes have been dented by Caf.

“We are, however, praying for the team and it will definitely win,” said Pastor Zhanje, who normally holds prayers with the team every Tuesday.

A prominent Zvishavane businessman, Clever Pote, who runs a chain of supermarkets in the town, was not amused by the Caf decision.

“FC Platinum and Zifa have done their best and it is our turn to show them what we are made of in two weeks time. We must play in a neutral country as there is war in Sudan,” said Pote.

“We can’t risk our lives and the lives of our players going to the war-torn country.”