FORMER cup kings CAPS United and fading Bulawayo giants Highlanders will be looking for the best possible start to the 2016 Premier Soccer League season as they set the ball rolling with tricky ties today.
By Our Staff
The resurgent Green Machine host bogey side Chapungu United at the National Sports Stadium, while Bosso make the long trip to Hwange Colliery for a date with Chipangano.
A board reshuffle, culminating in a busy off season, saw CAPS United — who seem to be the 5th team this season on paper — capture a number of good players. It is a sign that the Farai Jere bankrolled side is serious about winning the title this season.
It has, however, been a different scenario for Bosso who chose not to do any business on the transfer market, opting to place faith in some of the youngsters they promoted from their junior ranks.
Speaking to the media at a press conference in the capital on Thursday, CAPS United coach Lloyd Chitembwe poured cold water on the talk of his side having their eyes on the title, but said they would try to be as competitive as possible.
“I cannot talk of winning the title before we even kick the ball. What we have to do first is play and win matches. The title is won by playing and winning matches. If we do that accordingly, we will be in line,” Chitembwe said. Chitembwe acknowledged that Chapungu had been one of their toughest opponents for years.
“We have had hard times each time we played Chapungu, but this jinx has to end,” he said.
- Chamisa under fire over US$120K donation
- Mavhunga puts DeMbare into Chibuku quarterfinals
- Pension funds bet on Cabora Bassa oilfields
- Councils defy govt fire tender directive
Keep Reading
He said veteran striker Leonard Tsipa, Simbarashe Nhivi and Method Mwanjali were nursing injuries.
His counterpart John Nyikadzino tipped the Green Machine to snatch the title from Chicken Inn.
“The team has changed. They have good names in their squad. So it’s a different team altogether,” he said.
CAPS have added to their books Archford Gutu, Dennis Dauda, Devon Chafa, Abbas Amidu, Ronald Pfumbidzai, Cabby Kamhapa, Tafadzwa Rusike and Allan Gahadzikwa.
Bosso have been boosted by the arrival of Knox Mutizwa from his parent South African Absa premiership side Bidvest Wits for a loan spell. He has already started training with Highlanders in preparation for their opening league match.
Coach Erol Akbay confirmed Mutizwa’s arrival as he plotted Chipangano’s downfall.
Mutizwa — last year’s Golden Boot award winner — was away for a week to Bidvest, a club he has signed for and will be joining in June.
Akbay says he doesn’t know much about Hwange or any other team in Zimbabwe, except what he learnt from his lieutenants Amini Soma Phiri and Cosmas “Tsano” Zulu, but said he would play his own style of football.
“We have been working on building our game from the back. I am actually very happy with the progress of the team.
The players now understand what I need on the field and they know what I expect of them. I don’t know much about Hwange; actually I don’t know much about teams in Zimbabwe. All what I know is what I hear from the technical staff. I play my own style and my opponents will change according to how I play. I won’t change my tactics for them,” Akbay said.
The Dutchman says he has been impressed by left-back-turned-attacking linkman Bruce Kangwa as well as King Nadolo. Also impressive in pre-season has been goalkeeper Ariel Sibanda with veteran Erick Mudzingwa on the right-back, Honest Moyo on the left and skipper Felix Chindungwe partnering new signing Tendai Ndlovu.
Simon Munawa is defensive linkman, with Rahman Kutsanzira, Kangwa and Nadolo on the attack. Mutizwa and veteran striker Ralph Matema lead the attack.
Highlanders beat Hwange 1-0 at BF last year and again 4-2 at the Colliery, but Chipangano coach Mebelo Njekwa says it’s time to turn the tables.
“We respect Highlanders. They beat us home and away last year but we are looking at turning the tables. This is our first game at home and a win will be very vital,” Njekwa said.
The coalminers have released striker Aleck Marime and lost Rodwell Chinyengere, goalkeeper Takabva Mawaya, Nkosana Siwela and Talent Chamboko. They brought in Pervington Zimunya from Shabanie, Obert Moyo and two players from ZPC Hwange – Admire Banda and David Bizabani.
Hwange retained veterans Gerald Ndlovu, Farai Vimisayi, Gilbert Zulu, Andrew Chuma and Tonisani Sibelo. Also still at Hwange is Newman Sianchali.
Other fixtures today:
Triangle vs Harare City Gibbo Mutare City vs Ngezi Platinum Sakubva
