Gamecocks take aim at Bikita Minerals. . . as 2025 Premiership season kicks off

JOEY Antipas and his Chicken Inn charges will tomorrow march into the cauldron of Luveve Stadium for their Castle Lager Premier Soccer League (PSL) 2025 season opener against Bikita Minerals.

PSL action starts this weekend after three months of absence following a 2024 campaign that Simba Bhora won.

“Today (yesterday) we were having what I would call our last and final training session before the big day on Saturday. We are about 98 percent ready, we have one or two players that are not ready. These are new signings but we are looking forward to having others on board soon. We are ready to compete,” said Chicken Inn spokesperson Nkululeko Nkala.

Just like other PSL clubs, the Gamecocks recently engaged in a player release and recruitment exercise that saw them part ways with their former captain Danny “Deco” Phiri, long-serving goal minder Pride Zendera and striker Malvin Hwata.

Among the seven new Gamecocks arrivals are ex-Arenel Movers goalminder Aron “Arusha” Ngwenya, ex-Kwekwe Stars player Kumbirai Nyamutenha, Tadiwa Muchenje who was formerly with Bulawayo Chiefs, Tinashe Mashaineri, Edward Musena (Kwekwe United), Walter Vuwa (Ngezi Platinum Stars) and Vincent Mugande who was snatched from Southern Region Division One side DRC United.

The PSL 2025 season will start today with a fixture that will feature Scottland and Triangle at Rufaro Stadium.

In Mutare’s opening match of the season, Manica Diamonds will clash with Yadah tomorrow.

Under the guidance of Jairos Tapera, the Gem Boys have been on a rebuilding exercise that saw them snatch the services of towering defender Lawrence Mhlanga and Rainsome Pavari from former champions FC Platinum.

Besides roping in the experienced duo, Manica Diamonds lost the services of their former skipper Liberty Chakoroma who is now with defending champions Simba Bhora.

Yadah Stars parted ways with Warriors midfielder Khama Billiat who is now in the books of Scottland.

“It will be our first game of the season and we should make sure we get it right. We have been working on our player combinations and we believe we will compete well,” said Tapera.

Champions Simba Bhora will start their campaign against FC Platinum on MatchDay One while Bulawayo football giants Highlanders will face MWOS, who replaced ZPC Hwange after buying their franchise.

Dynamos and Caps United will play ZPC Kariba and Greenfuel, respectively on MatchDay One.

Other notable fixtures in the opening round include Scottland FC vs Triangle United and Kwekwe United versus Ngezi Platinum.