Sundaymail Editor
Zimpapers Sports Hub
We are currently witnessing a seismic shift in the balance of power in local football.
As this balance shifts with every season of the Castle Lager Premier Soccer League, there are serious fears it could take much longer for traditional giants — Dynamos, Highlanders and CAPS United — to win the league championship again.
Makepekepe are the most recent champions from the Big Three, yet they last won the title in 2016 — nine years ago.
DeMbare are entering the 11th year without winning the championship, the longest spell they have gone without walking to the podium in their 62-year
history.
It seems the emergence of new forces in local football has thrown the giants to the periphery.
Chicken Inn won the title in 2015, before FC Platinum ruled the roost between 2017 and 2022, only for Ngezi Platinum Stars to take over in 2023.
Another emerging force, Simba Bhora, won the championship last season and became the first club from Mashonaland Central to do so.
There is another big name in town — Scottland — whose grand arrival seems to have caused tremors across the Premiership.
The newly promoted side are already being touted among favourites for the league title, thanks to a massive investment by their owner Pedzai “Scott” Sakupwanya.
Backed by financial firepower, these emerging forces have literally pushed the giants to the backend.
However, the giants still have a traditional weapon — their legion of fans.
And Dynamos coach Lloyd Chigowe thinks his side will do better with massive backing from their millions of fans.
DeMbare take on ZPC Kariba at Rufaro Stadium this afternoon in their first match of the 2025 season.
They go into battle buoyed by last week’s triumph over champions Simba Bhora in the Castle Challenge Cup at the same venue.
Thousands of fans braved the rains to watch DeMbare lift their first Castle Challenge Cup.
“The Super Cup win was a morale booster indeed. It reunited us with our fans and it was a good starting point. Hopefully, we continue in this trajectory,” Chigowe said.
Crucially for Dynamos, they will play their opening four games at Rufaro.
After hosting ZPC Kariba, DeMbare will face Herentals, TelOne and Simba Bhora at the same venue.
This could be an advantage for DeMbare, who usually thrive in front of a vociferous Rufaro crowd, but Chigowe is aware that their opponents always bring their “A” game when they face the Harare giants.
“Dynamos will never have an easy game in the league,” said the veteran gaffer.
“Teams will always raise their game whenever they play the mighty blues.
“So, we expect no less and we are not taking anything for granted.
“It’s going to be a real battle against ZPC Kariba.”
DeMbare have not lost a league game against Kauya Katuruturu since 2015
and go into this encounter as huge favourites.
The Harare giants look solid at the back, where new signing Clive Mandivei is partnering the experienced Donald Dzvinyai, with skipper Emmanuel Jalai and Nomore Chinyerere occupying the right back and left back positions, respectively.
Chigowe is likely to start with an almost similar lineup he used last weekend, with Valentine “V11” Kadonzvo, Ghanaian striker Frank Agmeyang and Elton Chikona playing upfront.
Shadreck Nyahwa and Temptation Chiwunga will operate from the midfield.
ZPC Kariba lost a number of key players during the offseason, including rising defender Nyasha Gurende, who is now at Ngezi Platinum Stars.
Tearaway winger Leeroy Murape has joined TelOne, while defensive linkman Telmore Pio is now with DeMbare.
There are only two fixtures today, with the other one featuring new boys MWOS, who host Highlanders at Baobab Stadium.
Fixtures
Dynamos v ZPC Kariba (Rufaro)
MWOS v Highlanders (Baobab)
Online Reporter