Zimbabwe police cancel football

By John Mhunga
BBC Sport, Harare

Zifa's Rushwaya says Dynamos Champions League tie will go ahead

Police in Zimbabwe have ordered the cancellation of all organised football in the country amid fears that pre-election violence could erupt at matches.

League action will only resume on 4 April after the presidential and parliamentary elections, due to be held on 29 March.

The order means that the country's Premier Soccer League has had to abandon its Easter football programme, just a week after the league kicked off.

The Zimbabwe Football Association's chief executive Henrietta Rushwaya said: "The postponement has been made on instructions from the Zimbabwe Republic Police in view of the 29 March general election.

"The international match (in the African Champions League) between Dynamos and Costa Do Sol of Mozambique will go ahead as scheduled (this weekend).''

The ban means also effectively puts an end to any plans for Zimbabwe to host an international friendly for the Warriors on 26 March.