Castle Cup to kick-off 2024 season

AS has become tradition, the Castle Challenge Cup will kick start proceedings for the 2024 Castle Lager Premier Soccer League season in February.

The league will start with the Castle Challenge Cup tie between the Chibuku Super Cup winners Dynamos and Castle Lager Premiership champions Ngezi Platinum.

The venue and date for the tie are yet to be revealed.

“Please be advised that the PSL offices will be closed for the holidays from Monday, December 18, 2023, and will re-open on Wednesday, January 10.

“The Castle Lager PSL season will commence with the Castle Challenge Cup in February 2024. We would like to thank all our partners, fans and stakeholders for their unwavering support during the year. We wish you a happy and safe festive season,” read a statement from PSL.

Ironically the two sides, Ngezi Platinum and Dynamos met in the Chibuku Super Cup final in which Dynamos edged Ngezi Platinum Stars 2-0 at the Baobab Stadium.

Ngezi won their first Castle Lager Premier Soccer League title while DeMbare ended their nine-year drought by scooping the Chibuku Super Cup and the two clubs will participate in the Caf Champions League and Confederation Cup respectively.

Both teams are sweating over where they will play their home games with the recently commissioned Heart Stadium in Waterfalls, Harare appearing to be their best bet as it has been shut out for more renovations and expansion.

Following the commissioning of the Stadium, Yadah founder and owner Prophet Walter Magaya offered the Stadium to Ngezi Platinum Stars and Dynamos for use in the two club’s Caf competitions next year.

However, that is subject to the Stadium passing Caf inspection standards.

But with Zimbabwe not having any stadia fit to host Caf matches, Madamburo and DeMbare might find themselves playing home matches outside the country, a situation Magaya does not envisage.