Online Reporter
Lovemore Dube [email protected]
WHEN the giants of Zimbabwe football get into gear, there gets to be a buzz on the domestic scene, with attendance figures attesting to that.
Recently, Premier Soccer League chief executive officer Rodwell Thabe confirmed that there has been an improvement in attendance figures despite the gate entry fee raise.
Also pleasing was the news that revenue collected at the turnstiles had gone up too.
CAPS United, Chicken Inn, Dynamos and Highlanders fans last year endured a painful football season as their teams spent most of the time fighting relegation. It was not until the last weekend that Dynamos and Highlanders supporters heaved sighs of relief as their teams survived the chop.
This season has seen better performances, and for Dynamos it has driven fans back to stadia to give chairman Vincent Chawonza and the team the kind of support enjoyed by the leadership that has been there before.
Dynamos were at the same stage of 20 matches last season struggling for breath with just 15 points, a place and six points better than log anchors Kwekwe United. They were finding the going tough with apathy hitting their matches as few wanted to still identify with the brand. DeMbare are sixth on the log with 34 points and just six away from the security 40-point mark that guarantees safety from relegation.
CAPS United, who were among favourites for the 2026 season after a heavy investment by the holding company into football, find themselves in the chasing pack with 35 points, 10 more than what they had last year at the same stage.
They are fifth on the table with a 11-point deficit on leaders Scottland who look like they will win back-to-back titles like CAPS, Dynamos, FC Platinum and Highlanders have previously.
Some silly defensive mistakes by goalkeepers Washington Arubi and Wallace Magalane have seen Farai Jere’s project lose ground in the championship.
Last season, Highlanders were eighth after 21 games with relegation staring in the face before falling further to 11th place, which they held onto up to the end. Under Benjani Mwaruwari amid a series of strikes, they are on a healthy 33 points and seven from safety with promises of an even better finish after a string of decent results in recent weeks.
Last season Highlanders had 27 points.
Chicken Inn were among the other three, all former Premier League champions not doing well. The result eventually cost Joey Antipas and his technical team their jobs.
The Gamecocks are on position 12, an improvement from 14th last year. They have, however, gained just one point better for this stage, leaving the jobs of players and the technical team hanging precariously with worries over an inconsistent midfield that appears to carry more injuries than other developments.
Changes to technical staff, recruitment of better players and remuneration have been among the reasons for improved performances.
There has been high anticipation for better results by the four former championship-winning clubs.
