Online Reporter
Robson Sharuko
Metros Editor
DYNAMOS and CAPS United won their opening Castle Lager Premiership games for the FIRST time in three years.
DeMbare stunned TelOne with a 2-1 win at a rain-soaked Ascot.
The Green Machine beat newboys Agama by the same scoreline at Rufaro.
It was the first time any of the two Harare giants have won an opening game of the domestic Premiership in TWENTY SIX months.
Their last victories, on the opening weekend of the domestic Premiership, had come in March 2023. CAPS United beat Manica Diamonds 2-0 that weekend while Dynamos powered to an impressive 1-0 win over Hwange at the colliery.
Whether it was the reason why the Glamour Boys decided to go and camp in Hwange during pre-season, to try and reconnect with that winning formula, we will never know.
But, if that was the case, then it worked magic.
Genesis Mangombe’s men, who were expected to fall again after a 0-5 thrashing at the hands of Scottland in a Castle Challenge Cup at Rufaro a few days earlier, rallied to come from the setback of conceding an early goal to win the match 2-1.
With CAPS United also winning, a few hours later, it meant that the two giants got off to winning ways for the first time in three years.
Last year, the Glamour Boys got their league campaign on a disappointing note after they were held to a goalless draw by ZPC Kariba at Rufaro.
It set the tempo for a poor season for DeMbare in which they found themselves battling relegation until the final game of the campaign.
The arrival of coach Kelvin Kaindu changed everything for the Glamour Boys as they went on an unbeaten run to ensure they remained part of the PSL.
CAPS United also started with a draw against Greenfuel and, just like their biggest rivals, they struggled all season and found themselves in relegation trouble before surviving the chop.
In 2024, the Green Machine lost their opening league game when they were beaten 0-1 at home by Chicken Inn.
DeMbare did not fare any better as they were beaten 1-2 by Highlanders at Barbourfields.
It was a reversal of their fortunes in 2023 when they both won their opening games of the campaign. It set the tempo for a fair season for DeMbare who finished the campaign in third place behind champions Ngezi Platinum Stars and Manica Diamonds.
The Glamour Boys were also the third best scoring team in the league during that season.
CAPS United finished eighth on 46 points.
Now, that the two giants have both started with victories, there are expectations among their fans that they will go on to do well in this campaign.
“I think it is important for people to know that at Ascot we fielded a team which was different from the one which played against Scottland,” said Dynamos chairman Vincent Chawonza.
His message is that the Glamour Boys have an arseal of players, who did not play in that match, who can make a big difference in their campaign.
We don’t have to wait a long time for us to see those players getting really tested.
After all, DeMbare’s next game is the Battle of Zimbabwe showdown against Highlanders at Rufaro on Sunday.
Bosso, who are under the guidance of Benjani Mwaruwari, started their campaign with a draw against Bulawayo Chiefs.
