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Innocent Kurira ,[email protected]

THE Premier Soccer League (PSL) is back in action this weekend after a two-week hiatus to accommodate the 2026 World Cup Qualifiers. Fans can expect a full slate of exciting matches kicking off today and continuing tomorrow.

Originally planned to be longer, the break was shortened due to the postponement of the COSAFA Cup tournament. This means an earlier return for the teams, eager to dive back into the competitive fray.

As the league resumes, Manica Diamonds currently hold the top spot with 29 points from 14 games.

Hot on their heels are FC Platinum, sitting just one point behind in second place. Simba Bhora wait in the wings at third with 24 points, keeping the pressure on the leading pack. Meanwhile, a close battle unfolds further down the table with Highlanders and Chicken Inn locked in a tie for fourth place, both boasting 22 points.

At the other end of the standings, Hwange finds themselves clinging to the bottom with a meagre eight points. Just above them, a tense battle is brewing to avoid relegation. Arenel sits three points clear of the danger zone, with Chegutu Pirates and TelOne breathing down their necks, both tied on 12 points.

While it’s still early to predict the final outcome of the season, this weekend’s fixtures promise some mouth-watering clashes. Stay tuned for the Saturday Chronicle’s previews to get the inside scoop on these key matchups!

Will a new month change Bosso’s fortunes?

Highlanders coach Kelvin Kaindu is praying so. Bosso failed to record any victory last month recording stalemates against ZPC Kariba, GreenFuel and table toppers Manica Diamonds while losing 2-0 to former champions FC Platinum. They will count themselves lucky to be still within the chasing pack following the bad patch. Kaindu admits that last month was bad for his team.

“The month of May wasn’t good for us, we dropped a number of points because of the games that we drew. I think that phase has passed and we have to get back to winning ways,” said Kaindu.

Coach Kaindu also provided an update on player injuries.

“Godfrey Makaruse and Gillian Nyathi, who sustained minor injuries, are back in training. Our fitness test results showed that everyone is ready to play, with the exception of one player, Archford Faira, who is tending to family matters,” added Kaindu.

Andrew Mbeba, who was on national duty with the Warriors during Zimbabwe’s World Cup qualifiers last week, is back and trained with the rest of the squad.

FC Platinum brace for tricky Chiefs tie having somewhat struggled in their opening games of the season, FC Platinum appear to have found their footing and are on a five-game unbeaten run which includes four wins and one draw. The good run has seen them sit just a point behind the leaders Manica Diamonds. They will face an unpredictable Bulawayo Chiefs at Luveve Stadium this afternoon.

Coach Norman Mapeza shared his thoughts ahead of the game.

“We continued with our training, we gave our guys a few days break and we had to come. It’s not us alone who got affected and there is nothing we can do. We started our preparations on Monday, everything has gone well with us and l am happy some guys who were carrying some knocks have recovered and they are now looking forward to the Bulawayo Chiefs game. It’s not going to be easy for us, every time we go to Bulawayo after a break we always struggle. However, l am happy with what l have seen from the guys and l am positive we will get a positive result,” said Mapeza.

Pressure back on Mangombe.

Even a victory for Dynamos coach Genesis Mangombe is likely not to be enough to convince the section of fans that wants him sacked regardless. The Dynamos management has called for harmony in their family after a section of their supporters staged protests against Mangombe at Rufaro Stadium after he had won 2-1 against Arenel. He returns to the same venue to face ZPC Kariba after a loss against FC Platinum at Mandava Stadium just before the break.

Pressure has been mounting on the Glamour Boys, who have now fallen 10 points off the leaders. Mangombe and his team have been criticised heavily after managing only four wins in 14 games, with the victories coming only against the newly promoted sides TelOne, Arenel Movers, Bikita Minerals and Chegutu Pirates.

Elsewhere, Manica Diamonds also welcome back gaffer Jairosi Tapera when they travel to Yadah this afternoon looking to stretch their unbeaten run to 11 games.

Tapera was in charge of the Warriors in South Africa, and his technical bench had Ngezi Platinum Stars coach Takesure Chiragwi, whose side hosts Chicken Inn, and Saul Chaminuka, who will be looking to lead his GreenFuel side past basement side Hwange.

Caps United will be hitting the road to Gweru for a clash with TelOne.

Fixtures:

Today:

Yadah vs Manica (The Heart), Bulawayo Chiefs vs FC Platinum (Luveve), Simba Bhora vs Arenel (Wadzanayi), Ngezi Platinum Stars vs Chicken Inn (Baobab).

Tomorrow:

Hwange vs GreenFuel (Colliery), Highlanders vs Bikita Minerals (Barbourfields), Dynamos vs ZPC Kariba (Rufaro), TelOne vs Caps United (Bata), Chegutu Pirates vs Herentals (Baobab)

@innocentskizoe