2011 PSL fixtures out

giants with a cagey date against his former paymasters – Kiglon – when the 2011 league programme bursts into life.
Mutasa was the Kiglon coach until he was lured by the DeMbare management to come in and replace Elvis Chiweshe as head coach.
The former Tanganda and Dynamos midfielder’s switch to the Harare giants triggered a mass exodus of personnel from Kiglon to DeMbare including one of his trusted lieutenants Masimba Dinyero who is now his assistant.
A host of Kiglon players also followed their coach to Dynamos.
It is against this background that Dynamos’ opening encounter will virtually be a Kiglon versus Kiglon affair.
Warriors midfielder Denver Muka-mba, Devon Chafa, Dominic Benati, Gift Bello, Thomas Magorimbo and Maxwell Nyamupangedengu have joined Dembare from Kiglon.
Although the PSL management are still to announce the actual dates and venues for the games including the opening round of matches, they released the full fixture for 2011 yesterday.
Champions Motor Action will begin their title defence with a derby clash against a Black Mambas side who survived relegation on the last day of the season.
Highlanders who finished third after a late surge for the championship will also start their campaign at home with a date against Shabanie Mine while fourth-placed Harare giants CAPS United will take on league returnees Zimbabwe Saints.
The Kiglon against Dynamos tie might seem a David versus Goliath encounter but DeMbare fans would be quick to remember that for two successive season they have lost to the Chitungwiza outfit in the championship run in.
Two years ago, Kiglon dented DeMbare’s title hopes when they beat them 3-2 to hand the initiative to eventual winners Gunners.
It was a similar tale last year when Kiglon handed Chiweshe’s Dynamos a 1-0 defeat that swung the pendulum in favour of Motor Action.
Now Mutasa and half of the team that did damage to DeMbare must face a new-look Kiglon that is undergoing a massive rebuilding exercise under Mutasa’s good friend Rodwell Dhlakama.
Former Dynamos striker Tendai Gwata, is now at Kiglon, who also have midfielder Conrad Whitby who arrived from Eagles, ex-CAPS United defender Danger Fourpence and veteran striker Moore Moyo who joined from relegated Lengthens.
New Kiglon assistant coach Patridge Muskwe said they are not worried at the prospect of meeting the Harare giants in the opening round.
Muskwe, who was with Eagles last season, however, said Kiglon would go into the match as underdogs.
“Kiglon is rebuilding and we have new players.
“But we are not under pressure although we will give it our best.
“I think it’s actually Dynamos who have a big tag who should be feeling the pressure,” said Muskwe.
Kiglon yesterday beat Highfield United 2-0 in a pre-season friendly while they also drew 0-0 with Buffaloes at the weekend.
Last season Motor Action began their journey to glory with a game against Shooting Stars away at Ascot winning 2-0 through goals from Allan Gahadzikwa and William Kupera.
The Mighty Bulls will be at home this time, according to the provisional fixtures circulated to the clubs yesterday.
According to the fixtures, CAPS United are hosting Premiership returnees Zimbabwe Saints in their first game.
Chikwata are marking a return to the elite league after buying the franchise from Eagles.
Saints have roped in Willard Mashinkila-Khumalo and Agent Sawu as the coaches and Elvis Chiweshe is also understood to be taking up a role in the new technical department.
Newboys FC Platinum who have been splashing cash to lure a number of good players will face Shooting Stars at Mandava in Zvishavane before they travel to Harare to meet Dynamos in round two.
It will also be clash of the newboys when Philani Ncube’s Chicken Inn meet Blue Ribbon Stars who have Misheck Chidzambwa as their coach.
Blue Ribbon Stars will travel to Bulawayo while 2009 champions Gunners make the long trip to Hwange for their opening game.
But before the Castle Lager Premiership roars into life, the NetOne Charity Shield, pitting Motor Action and Dynamos will serve as the starter to the menu.
PSL chief executive Kenny Ndebele said they had tentatively set the weekend of March 26-27 to start the league programme.
“We have released the fixtures for circulation to the clubs.
“I am still checking if the clubs have all received the fixture,” he said.
Ndebele said the club’s assembly has not agreed on the kick-off date but they would be finalising on the programme before the end of the week.
Fixtures:
Week One
Kiglon vs Dynamos
CAPS United FC vs Zimbabwe Saints FC
Motor Action FCvs Black Mambas FC
Chicken Inn FC vs Blue Ribbon FC
Highlanders FC vs Shabanie Mine FC
FC Platinum vs Shooting Stars FC
Hwange FC vs Gunners FC
Masvingo FC vs Monomotapa FC
Week Two
Masvingo vs Hwange
Monomotapa vs Highlanders
Gunners FC vs Motor Action FC
Dynamos FC vs FC Platinum
Shabanie Mine FC vs Chicken Inn FC
Zimbabwe Saints FC vs Kiglon FC
Shooting Stars FC vs Caps United FC
Black Mambas FC vs Blue Ribbon FC
Week 3
Black Mambas FC vs Zimbabwe Saints FC
Blue Ribbon FC vs Shooting Stars FC
CAPS United FC vs Shabanie Mine FC
Chicken Inn vs Gunners
Motor Action vs Dynamos
FC Platinum vs Monomotapa
Highlanders vs Masvingo
Kiglon vs Hwange
Week 4
Monomotapa FC vs Kiglon FC
Dynamos FC vs Hwange FC
Gunners FC vs Highlanders FC
Shabanie Mine FC vs FC Platinum
Shooting Stars FC vs Motor Action FC
Zim Saints FC vs Masvingo FC
Black Mambas FC vs Chicken Inn FC
Blue Ribbon FC vs CAPS United FC
l The Herald will publish the full 30-week fixture in Saturday’s edition. Don’t miss your copy.