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pretenders in the top-flight league.
This is the phase where teams seriously gun for the championship while the axe will be hovering constantly above teams in the bottom half.

Already, winds of change have blown into the technical departments at CAPS United, Shooting Stars, Kiglon and Shabanie with more changes certain to come in the second round, especially from teams that fail to rise from the bottom.

Moneybays FC Platinum received kudos from their fans for overtaking champions Motor Action to finish the first round as the pacesetters, two points clear of the Mighty Bulls, who are on 28 points.
However, FC Platinum have shown that they are not unbeatable after losing three games in the first round.
The shock defeat was a 3-0 loss to Gunners who were bottom of log on May 18 at Maglas while the defeats to Dynamos and Motor Action in Harare could have been expected.

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Champions Motor Action, have been far from consistent as they drew seven times with as many wins.
The Mighty Bulls should be looking at the draws as 14 points lost rather than seven points gained while Dynamos, just like Motor Action, finished with seven wins.
DeMbare recovered from their worst start in the league since the turn of the millennium and managed to surge into top three at the halfway mark.

The Harare giants yesterday hit the road for a reverse fixture against Chicken Inn at Luveve today.
CAPS United and Gunners, coached by their former mentor Moses Chunga, clash again at Rufaro tomorrow after a thriller at Lafarge that failed to produce a goal on Thursday.
In their match last week, Dynamos won 1-0 through a Murape Murape strike and DeMbare kept their momentum by beating Hwange 2-1 in the BancABC Sup8r quarter-final in Triangle last Saturday.

Chicken Inn coach Philani Ncube believed Dynamos were lucky to get a positive result as he felt his team were technically superior.
Dynamos assistant coach Tichaona Diya yesterday said they have now set their targets on fighting for the championship.
“Now we have reached the halfway stage and the aim is to fight for the title.

“We are going to Bulawayo for three points and nothing else.
“The league has reached the crucial stage and like any other team, we are working towards the top position,” said Diya.
Diya hopes a fine start to the second half will be a good omen for the side that had already lost four games.

Dynamos concluded their 2010 season with four defeats.
“The game against Chicken Inn is important if we get a win because that will set the tone for our challenge in the league.

“We are also aware that every team in the league is inspired while playing against Dynamos and we have to be alert always,” said Diya.
Dynamos are hoping to beef up their squad with Cuthbert Malajila expected join the attack that had been crying for an experienced gunslinger.
“The executive has had talks with Malajila while they are also negotiating with Guthrie Zhokinyi.

“Maybe in the next three games we expect Guthrie to be back,” said Diya.
Dynamos are still missing the injured David Kutyauripo while midfielder Wonder Sithole is also expected to bounce back into the team.
“We are going to register Wonder because he is now some 80 percent fit and has been training with the team.

“It’s a matter of time before he regains full fitness and starts challenging for a place,” said Diya.
Chicken Inn will hope to utilise the home advantage with Thomas Chimenya expected to get a place in the starting line-up while Thabani Goredema, Herbert Dick and the ageless Sikhumbuzo Banda are key members of the team.

The Bulawayo side could field Evans Chikwaikwai in their strikeforce after the striker was cleared to return home and play for the club after a spell in South Africa and Mozambique.
The other game today sees Hwange aiming to compound Chikwata’s woes when they meet at Barbourfields.
Zim Saints coach Willard Mashinkila-Khumalo is down with illness while the side has already fired their former son Agent Sawu from the post of assistant coach.

The once feared Bulawayo side are reeling from a crippling financial challenge and have lost defender Phillip Sithole and Tafadzwa Maingire.
Masvingo, have also not been spared unrest in their camp as their players have written a petition to their executive demanding their dues or transfer letters.

Yuna Yuna have lost striker Johnson Zimbabe, who moved to South Africa, and coach Luke Masomere will be lucky to travel with a full strength squad to face FC Platinum at Mandava today.
Champions Motor Action host draw specialists Monomotapa at Motor Action Sports Club with police side Black Mambas meeting Shooting Stars at Morris Depot.

Blue Ribbon have also strengthened their side by swooping on the Kiglon duo of Charlton Mashumba and Charles Mukhanhaire.
Fixtures
Saturday: Zimbabwe Saints v Hwange (Barbourfields), Chicken Inn v Dynamos (Luveve), FC Platinum v Masvingo United (Mandava), Motor Action v Monomotapa (Motor Action Sports Club), Blue Ribbon v Shabanie Mine (Rufaro), Black Mambas v Shooting Stars (Morris Depot)
Sunday: Highlanders v Kiglon (Barbourfields Stadium) Caps United v Gunners (Rufaro)