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Ricky Zililo Senior Sports Reporter
FOOTBALL enthusiasts should brace for a dramatic 2015 Premier Soccer League season to be dominated once again by teams from Harare and Bulawayo, experts said yesterday.
The four-month wait for topflight action to resume comes to an end with the first championship match on Friday at Rufaro Stadium pitting Harare City and Premiership newboys Tsholotsho FC.
The 16 PSL teams started their preparations in January with giants Highlanders, Dynamos and Caps United losing a number of their seasoned players as well as changing their technical set-ups.
Dynamos are under the tutelage of David Mandigora who replaced Callisto Pasuwa, winner of four consecutive league titles. Fellow Harare side Caps United have roped in Mark Harrison.
Bulawayo giants Bosso hired Bongani Mafu.
And despite developments faced by the traditional heavyweights, experts believe that the three most followed clubs cannot be ruled out of title race.
Popular sportscaster Charles Mabika tips defending champions Dynamos to be the team to beat following their back-to-back victories over Caps United in the Bob91 Super Cup final and the ZNA Charities Shield.
“In my opinion if what we’ve seen in Dynamos so far is anything to go by especially after beating Caps United back-to-back recently, then they start as favourites. Yes, Caps United lost but they were not disgraced and I believe they will also be challenging for the top honours. Also coming into the picture are Highlanders who have a shrewd tactician in Bongani Mafu who believes in a mixture of youth and experience. Bosso were unlucky to lose to Caps United. Once they get their combinations right, they will be unstoppable,” Mabika said.
FC Platinum who were beaten 5-1 by Young Africans in Tanzania at the weekend in a Orange Caf Confederation match are Mabika’s fourth favourite.
He says How Mine coach Luke Masomere signed a good side of mega stars — players who have previously won the championship and pose a threat to Dynamos, Caps United and Highlanders’ title aspirations.
Pre-season signings from How Mine who have won the Premiership with other clubs include Charles Sibanda, Devon Chafa, Limited Chikafa and Tawanda Muparati. The already had championship medalists in the form of Gilbert Banda and Kuda Musharu.
Mabika ruled out last season’s runners-up ZPC Kariba and backed Triangle FC for a good showing this season.
“The combination of Kelvin Kaindu and Biggie Zuze at Triangle FC catapulted by sound financial backing by the club’s management will go places. They have been quiet in their preparations and people should watch out for them.”
A senior Bulawayo journalist said as always the country’s giants Highlanders, Dynamos and Caps United start as firm favourites.
“Dynamos and Highlanders fared well in the transfer market given the challenges they faced with the reduction of sponsorship,” he said. “Alongside Caps United who now have a financial backer they will be teams to beat once more and the 12th man for them will also be key.”
“It would be folly to write off FC Platinum, How Mine and Chicken Inn. Hwange will be there as usual spoiling the party for the big guns. I’m disappointed ZPC Kariba and Tsholotsho FC will not be playing at their respective home grounds for a while and they may lose ground in the race because of that.”
He acknowledges that How Mine have assembled a strong and a balanced team on paper which if it clicks would certainly be gunning for honours in both the league and tournaments.
“The onus is on Luke Masomere to get the right combination. He has tried and tested players with family responsibilities who know what is expected of them on the field. Other teams’ downfall could be the so called young players who are just keen on enough for data bundles and not the expectations of the fans and team. We expect to see a number of young players like Thomas Chidewu, Emmanuel Mandiranga, Tatenda Mukuruva, Pritchard Mpelele and Teenage Hadebe living up to it,” he said.
Following what could be a tight contest, the senior journalist believes that some coaches will be axed by July.
“There’s a lot of pressure for our coaches because clubs want results more than anything. We expect to see three to five coaches losing their jobs by July because this is going to be a tough season.”
Limukani Ncube, the B-Metro editor says newcomers Tsholotsho FC, Dongo Sawmills, Whawha and Flame Lilly will only be fighting for their survival unlike ZPC Kariba who put a strong title challenge losing it to Dynamos on the last day in their maiden season.
He tips FC Platinum for the title “since they’ve been together for a longer time than other clubs due to their continental commitments.”
Ncube believes that Zimbabwean football is about results and not building teams for the future.
“Only Hwange have remained true to building for the future by slowly introducing their youngsters into the team. Other coaches are hard-pressed for results and it won’t be a surprise to see some gaffers losing their jobs within the first quarter.”
Ncube said Dynamos by virtue of being defending champions are favourites but will have to withstand pressure from Highlanders whose players want to prove themselves and avoid last season’s mistakes.
Triangle are also a team he believes will do well as their coach Kaindu won’t endure the same pressure he did during his days with Highlanders.
Sportscaster Muziwethu Hadebe said: “This will be a tight season. Dynamos are improving with each outing while Caps united have shown ability to challenge as well. Highlanders just need to work on their finishing. As for How Mine, I think they still have to work harder in terms of combinations.”
The 2003 Soccer Star of the Year Dazzy Kapenya said: “When the season starts everyone is equal and it will all depend on who wants success more than the other. Otherwise we should brace for a great, competitive season.”
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