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Kenny Ndebele

Sports Reporter
CASTLE Lager Premier Soccer League clubs will not have a hectic long weekend because of Friday’s Independence Cup final between Dynamos and FC Platinum.
This was confirmed by the PSL chief executive officer Kennedy Ndebele on Monday evening.
Ndebele, who has in his two years turned the PSL into an enviable organisation with sponsorships awash for competitions, said league games would now be played on Sunday and Monday.

He said they want an even number of games at any given time for clubs hence the move not to have them play two matches during the long weekend.

“Because of the Independence Cup final on Friday pitting Dynamos and FC Platinum we have decided against clubs playing two matches each. This would have meant that the two teams in the final and their other opponents would not be in action,” said Ndebele.

He said games would resume on Sunday and the last batch of matches set for Monday.
Highlanders make the long trip to the Lowveld to clash with Chiredzi following their 4-1 mauling of Shabanie Mine. On paper they start as favourites as Moses Chunga’s lads seem low in confidence after their 3-1 whacking by neighbours Triangle FC at Gibbo Stadium last Sunday.

Stand-in Bosso coach Mark Mathe will be hoping to continue from where he left against Shabanie. His boss Kelvin Kaindu is expected from the UK before the team’s departure and with previous results where he imposed himself on the bench having been negative, he could watch proceedings from the terraces and give his input at halftime.

Highlanders will be without Gabriel Nyoni who is expected to be out of action for up to six months. Big Cleopas Dube, Mgcini Sibanda and Ozias Zibande are all in contention for a starting slot as strikers as the combination of Charles Sibanda and Milton Ncube did not seem to gel. Both left footers are good as second strikers as they can shoot well and create opportunities for others.

Norman Maroto is expected to spearhead Chiredzi’s hunt for glory.
Chapungu, 1-0 winners over Black Rhinos, return to the Midlands capital hopeful of another maximum set of points. This weekend they play host to How Mine who have lost two of their opening matches despite a galaxy of stars signed in the last 14 months.

Hwange, who top the log standings with eight goals from two matches, will be happy to continue with their good run knowing fully well that Week 4 will provide them with a stern test when they face Highlanders at Barbourfields Stadium. This weekend they will be at home to Biggie Zuze’s Triangle who won the Lowveld derby against Chiredzi 3-1 on Sunday.

Shabanie Mine will entertain Black Rhinos at Maglas. The asbestos miners have a new team some of whose players look promising.
Bulawayo will have two exciting matches to look forward to when Bantu Rovers play Dynamos at Barbourfields Stadium and Chicken Inn host FC Platinum.

Bantu Rovers fired warning shots last Saturday when they beat star-studded How Mine 3-1. Dynamos should not come to Bulawayo expecting an easy win as the Bulawayo soccer fans will be rooting for Methembe Ndlovu’s youthful side knowing that the result could at the end of the year determine the log standings where neighbours Highlanders are among firm favourites.

Ndlovu has youthful stars who have benefited from the arrival of the experienced Zephania Ngodzo from Chicken Inn, Pride “S’jankala’ Zireni from Plumtree Chiefs and dead ball specialist Lawson Nkomo.

Zireni is rated among the best anchormen in the country and his physically imposing stature in the middle of the park and Nqobizitha Masuku’s workrate in a midfield role are expected to provide for an exciting duel with Dynamos’ Tawanda Muparati, Stephen Alimenda and Cliff Sekete who hold the key to the outcome of the match.

But the vociferous Dynamos crowd could prove just too much for Ndlovu’s boys who were used to paltry Division One audiences.
ZPC Kariba could add to Harare City’s woes when the two clubs meet in Harare.

City were 2-1 losers to Caps United last weekend and seem to lack the impetus Silas Songani gave to their attack and drive for success. Songani moved to Denmark at the beginning of the year.

The PSL is still to announce dates and venues for the weekend games.
Week 3: Chapungu v How Mine, Caps United v Buffaloes, Hwange v Triangle, Chicken Inn v FC Platinum, Chiredzi v Highlanders, Bantu Rovers v Dynamos, ZPC Kariba v Harare City, Shabanie Mine v Black Rhinos