Chauya Chikwata: Return of Zim Saints

Chunga’s CAPS United in a Castle Lager Premier Soccer League match at Rufaro this afternoon.
It has been a long and frustrating journey for Saints who were relegated in 2006 and have been languishing in the conundrum of Division One football since.
Club secretary Jabulani Chinyangarara yesterday said, “Chauya Chikwata” are back to stay and will be targeting a positive start in their first Premiership game in almost five years against the Green Machine.
But they are not likely to get it easy against Makepekepe who saw them off to Division One with a 2-1 defeat in their last game of the Premiership back in 2006.
Saints meet a CAPS United, who have also been on a massive rebuilding under Chunga.
Saints, who were relegated in 2006, are now under the guidance of Willard Mashinkila-Khumalo and Agent Sawu after the club secured the franchise of now defunct Premiership side Eagles.
“We have been waiting with great eagerness for the season to start. Our aim is to collect three points in the first game and move on from there.
“The coaches have been working hard with the team during the off-season and we managed to play a few friendly games in the little time that we had.
“CAPS United are a good side but we have an equally strong team. We are prepared for them,” said Chinyangarara.
Saints have assembled a competitive side after taking on board a number of players from the Premiership.
They have two options for the goalkeeper’s position with former Dynamos ‘keeper Munyaradzi Diya and the experienced Jonathan Chikaponya in their books.
The defence also looks solid with players like Tafadzwa Maingire, Danisa Phiri, Philip Sithole, Vorster Chitema, Johane Mangiza and Sydney Linyama who comes on board from Mozambique outfit Liga Desportivo Maculmana.
Mashinkila-Khumalo, who joined the side after parting ways with Botswana outfit Nico United recently, seems to have discovered working combinations after loses to Shabanie and FC Platinum in their recent friendly games.
Their midfield is anchored by Abraham Mbaiwa, formerly of Highlanders, Isaac Pitamuja, Leo Kurauzvione, Ntokozo Tshuma and Gift Phiri while Chipo Tsodzo, Fortune Nyambosi and Simba Gate lead the attack.
“I know it will not be easy coming back after this long but fighting relegation is out.
“We have experienced players and most of them have been playing in the Premiership, which makes us a competitive side”, said Chinyangarara.
Reigning Premiership kings Motor Action will begin their title defence at home against Black Mambas. The Mighty Bulls are seeking to erase bad memories of their early exit from the Caf Champions League after bowing out of the competition last week in a penalty shootout defeat to former champions Asec Mimosas of Cote d’Ivoire.
David George and Prince Matore will take the responsibility for the team in the absence of head coach Joey Antipas who is away on national team duty in Mali.
The Mighty Bulls have been suffering from player unrest and George will be hoping that the players will put behind their issues and concentrate on the game.
Expensively assembled side FC Platinum will make their debut against Shooting Stars at Maglas this afternoon.
Coach Benjamin Moyo said he is happy with his new side but chose to be cautious ahead of the season-opener.
“Football is football and we always play to win. But I cannot bank on results from the friendlies that we have played to gauge our team at this point.
“This is a new side that is still trying to come together as a unit and I wish people could appreciate this,” said Moyo.
FC Platinum are under the spotlight after taking on board most of the cream from the Premiership.
They are expected to parade their stars like Charles Sibanda, Bekhimpilo Ncube, Norman Maroto, Kumbulani Banda, former Highlanders players Mernard Mupera, Francis Kanda, Joel and Zephaniah Ngodzo.
Premiership newboys Chicken Inn and Blue Ribbon square off at Luveve in the other fixture set for this afternoon.
Harare giants Dynamos will start their campaign tomorrow against Kiglon at Rufaro.
Coach Lloyd Mutasa will lead DeMbare against his former team without his midfield duo of Archieford Gutu and Denver Mukamba who are with the Warriors in Mali.
Kiglon assistant coach Patridge Muskwe has vowed to bring the high-riding Harare giants down to earth.
Highlanders will host Shabanie Mine in a tricky encounter at Barbourfields tomorrow while Gunners travel to Hwange.
Fixtures
Saturday – Motor Action v Black Mambas (Motor Action Sports Club), Chicken Inn v Blue Ribbon (Luveve), FC Platinum v Shooting Stars (Maglas), CAPS United v Zimbabwe Saints (Rufaro)
Sunday – Hwange v Gunners (Colliery), Highlanders v Shabanie Mine (Barbourfields), Kiglon v Dynamos (Rufaro), Masvingo v Monomotapa (Mucheke)