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Midlands Correspondent
THE Zifa Central Soccer League campaign starts this weekend with eight fixtures lined up across the region tomorrow. Sixteen teams have been registered to take part in this year’s campaign after three teams — FC Maranda, Gaths Mine and UNICEM failed to affiliate forcing the league management to invite other teams to the league.

The league will kick off without a sponsor but chairman Felton Kamambo said they would unveil a knockout tournament later in the season while a sponsor for individual awards would also be unveiled by the end of May.

“We’re now finalising sponsorship which will see us holding a knockout tournament this year while another sponsor has also committed to sponsor individual awards such as the player of the month, top goal scorer and so forth. If all goes well the league will be branded as we’re still in talks with a potential sponsor to bankroll the league,” he said.

Varsity side, MSU, who were pipped by Whawha for a premiership ticket last season, have already been dubbed championship favourites after going on a shopping spree in the off season.

The Varsity Sharks, who open their account with newcomers Sable Chemicals, have in their books players with premiership experience such as former Hwange attacking linkman, Richard Jongwe, the Shabanie Mine quartet of Smart Muchabaiwa, Hamilton Masumbuko, Talbort Mthombeni and Farai Mususunye.

Zexie Zezani, who was poached from Chiredzi FC, is also in the fold.

Commenting on their season opener, MSU coach, Joseph Michael said they would not read much in what pundits are saying but would approach the match against Sable Chemicals cautiously.

“Obviously with what has been said and our performance last season we’re the team to beat. However, we will not read much into what people are saying and we will take our match cautiously against Sable Chemicals.

“They’re a new side in the league and we will not want to underrate them because they may spring a surprise,” he said.

Shabanie Mine will begin their campaign in the unfamiliar world of Division One when they host Mvuma Stars at Maglas.

Fixtures
Tomorrow: Shabanie Mine vs Mvuma Stars (Maglas), Munyati VS Gweru United (Mbizo), Blanket Mine vs Border Strikers (Blanket Mine),ZRP Beitbridge vs Vumbachikwe (Dulibadzimu) FC Platinum Under 19 vs Tongogara (Mandava), Chrome Stars vs Ivan Hoe (Chrome), ZETDC vs Silo United (Mkoba Stadium) MSU vs Sable Chemicals (MSU)