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title defence at home against Mashonaland Eagles at Masvingo Sports Club today.
Preparations for the new season have hugely been overshadowed by the national team’s schedule, which included tours by Bangladesh and Pakistan.
Mash Eagles have been labeled the team to beat this season.
They have been arguably the most active franchise on the player market and have raided three players from the Rocks’ vault.
At one point the Harare Metropolitan franchise were chasing the signatures of Rocks’ Raza Sikandar Butt, Stuart Matsikenyeri, Craig Ervine, Tatenda Taibu and Elton Chigumbura, but at the end of the day it was job half done.
Eagles managed to acquire Butt, Matsikenyeri and Chigumbura but deals with Taibu are believed to have collapsed after both parties failed to agree on figures while Ervine opted to stay in Masvingo.
Eagles had a particularly difficult time last season but the arrival of these players has given the T20 Champions a renewed sense of hope.
Team manager Joseph Madyembwa was oozing with confidence ahead of the new season.
“We seem to be pretty fit after retaining a bulk of our players from last season and adding a few new ones who will give us the right experience at the top.
“We want to fight for everything on offer with top priority being retaining the T20 title, so a win upfront is important,” he said.
For their part Rocks may be down, after losing the experienced trio, but not out, for they have since acquired the services of Prince Masvaure from Eagles.
Zimbabwe assistant coach, Steven Mangongo, has since been roped in to act as technical advisor to the franchise, coached by Englishman Monte Lynch.
Rocks’ chief executive, Givemore Makoni, seems content with the team at disposal and vowed that Rocks will give a good account of themselves despite the loss.
“Indeed the loss of those players was a disappointment but there was very little we could do about as these guys have families in Harare and actually requested the move.
“However, that won’t deter us as we have ample reinforcements in the likes Chamunorwa Chibhabha, Craig Ervine and Brain Vitori who could complement the new arrivals.
“We have set our targets on retaining our Metbank Pro40 title and hopefully win the Logan Cup this time so expect a tough fight from us,” he said.
Mountaineers will be looking forward to a good start when they host Matabeleland Tuskers at Mutare Sports Club today.
The Mountain Goats have lost seamer Tinashe Panyangara but have managed to retain the bulk of the players from last season. Hamilton Masakadza, Prosper Utseya, Tino Mawoyo and Shingi Masakadza are expected to play a big part.
“We held trials about a month or two ago but it did come out as well as we would have preferred, so expect a couple of youngsters coming up this season.
“As far as the game against Tuskers is concerned we will go out for victory as we hope to get our title chase on the right footing,” said a source from the club.
The teams will meet again on Monday in the four-day Logan Cup competition.
The franchises have been busy this week rounding off their preparations with key areas being player fitness and conclusion of transfers.
Midwest Rhinos will be hoping to finally get some silverware into their empty cabinet when their season kicks off next month.
To date they are the only franchise yet to win any silverware, something chief executive, Kenyon Ziehl, has vowed to end this season.
“We still have about two weeks before we begin our season, but preparations are expected to intensify during that time.
“Our priority is to win something and end our drought so far. We have recently acquired Steven Marillier, Mike Chinouya from Rocks, while we are likely to retain Lou Vincent and add Australian quickie Shaun Tait for the T20 competition. “We have been in four of the six finals under the Franchise system, always failing to cross the finish line, so ending that streak will be top priority this season,” he said.
Today – Pro40 ChampionshipMountaineers v Matabeleland Tuskers (Mutare Sports Club), Southern Rocks v Mashonaland Eagles (Masvingo Sports Club)
Mon Sep 26 – Thu Sep 29 – Logan CupMountaineers v Matabeleland Tuskers (Mutare Sports Club), Southern Rocks v Mashonaland Eagles (Masvingo Sports Club)