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Ricky Zililo Senior Sports Reporter
LOCAL football enthusiasts should brace for an exciting second half of the Premiership season as there is a lot to play for in the congested last stanza.Since taking charge of Bulawayo giants Highlanders FC in 2012, Kelvin Kaindu has managed to reach the halfway mark at the top of the table and for a third consecutive year, all eyes will be on his side when they play the final stanza.
Highlanders are at the top of the table with 30 points, three above unbeaten ZPC Kariba, Dynamos and Caps United.
In his first season, Kaindu, the only foreign coach in the Premiership this time around, was just three points ahead of Dynamos who had amassed 30 points.
By this time last year, Highlanders were tied on 29 points with Chicken Inn but had a superior goal difference with eventual champions Dynamos who won the title with a better goal difference over Bosso third on 28 points.
Going for the third consecutive season at the top of the table at the halfway stage, Highlanders’ aficionados are eager for a change of fortunes and are hopeful that the Zambian expatriate will be able to work his magic and land the Premiership title they last laid their hands on in 2006.
What gives Bosso supporters belief that they can do it is the fact that just like they have done in the past season, they have scored the most goals and have a healthy goal difference which they can preserve if they work on their leaky defence.
The rate at which they are conceding goals is worrying Kaindu who insists that finishing at the top of the table in the first half means nothing if they fail to be there on the last game of the season.
“It is good that we won this game but I am worried at the rate at which we are conceding. We have on many occasions let in soft goals and we need to improve on our concentration.
“Obviously being at the top of the table at this point is good as it shapes the way forward but what is important is to be able to be there when the season ends. We still have a long way to go,” Kaindu said.
Surprise packages ZPC Kariba have the best defence, conceding just seven times in 15 outings followed by defending champions Dynamos who have let in eight goals while Highlanders’ goalkeepers have picked the ball 13 times from the back of the nets – the same number as FC Platinum and Chapungu.
Highlanders’ backline has been suspicious and Kaindu needs to find wingbacks in the last two weeks of the mid-season transfer window and look for a striker to complement the league’s leading scorer Charles Sibanda who has found the back of the net 10 times.
Going into the second half, history favours Dynamos as they have shown great pedigree by turning the tide in their favour.
Every game in the second half will be more like a final for the big three teams – Highlanders, Dynamos and Caps United – but they must also be wary of ZPC Kariba who have shown that they are not pushovers as they are within title distance.
Following their 1-1 draw with Caps United on Sunday, Dynamos’ coach Callisto Pasuwa said he is looking forward to the second half.
“We are still in the race. The fact that we came up with a draw is good for the team and now what we have to do in the second half is to make sure that we make the most out of the chances that we create,” said Pasuwa.
At least for Dynamos they have managed to re-sign Bloemfontein Celtics flop Roderick Mutuma who on a good day is capable of turning away some of the chances that DeMbare creates. He is one of the players that teams will have to look out for as the championship race heats up.
No doubt, Caps United’s Taurai Mangwiro has done a remarkable job in turning around Caps United’s fortunes, making them championship contenders after a poor start.
Makepekepe seem to have found their groove at the right time.
“The team is improving with each outing which is remarkable and we still have to continue working hard. On a positive note we are managing to recover even if we are down, this group of players has shown some zeal to fight on till the last whistle. It will be an interesting second half,” Mangwiro said.
While Caps United, Dynamos and Bosso are all potential champions, the relegation battle is also one to closely look at.
The bottom six teams — Triangle (17), Chapungu (16), Harare City and Black Rhinos both tied on 15 points, Bantu Rovers (14) and anchors Chiredzi are swimming in the murky relegation waters and are expected to turn up the heat as they fight for their survival.
Castle Lager Premier Soccer League results
Friday: ZPC Kariba 1-0 Chicken Inn
Saturday: FC Platinum 2-1 Shabanie Mine, Harare City 1-1 Hwange
Sunday: Highlanders 4-2 Bantu Rovers, Caps United 1-1 Dynamos, Black Rhinos 1-0 How Mine, Buffaloes 1-0 Chiredzi, Triangle United 1-0 Chapungu
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