adminMawiwi, who led Harare City in their maiden Division One Championship in 2011, after achieving a similar feat with Gunners and Lengthens, feels that he still has the core of the players who did well for the Sunshine City boys last season.
Harare City finished in ninth position as they were testing the waters in the Premiership but the side is more ambitious this season.
Last week, Harare City unveiled former Dynamos wingback David Kutyauripo and striker Martin Vengesayi.
The Sunshine Boys also unveiled James Jam, Phenias Bamusi, Osborne Mukuradare, Tendai Ngulube, Sibusiso Sibanda, William Manondo, James Madora, Muzondiwa Gonese, Leeroy Saungweme, Witness Savanhu and Peter Ngwenya.
Ngwenya nearly joined Dynamos but complications over his reverse international transfer clearance resulted in the player remaining at Namibian side Eleven Arrows.
Now Mawiwi, a former coach at Dynamos and Circle United, is ready to blend his recruits with the old guards in a match that will be shown live on SuperSport 9 channel.
“We will have continuity with our team despite bringing in new players. The new players have been brought to add depth to the squad because of their experience but we will continue with the core of the team from last season,” said Mawiwi.
Harare City are likely to go into the battle without Silas Songani and Maxwell Nyamupangendengu who returned home yesterday from the Warriors’ World Cup qualifier against Egypt.
“I do not think that we should be using Silas because of fatigue. Even Maxwell should be given a rest but I am just so happy for the boys to make it the national team.
“Their call to the Warriors motivates the other guys in the team to work hard and I also have respect for (Klaus-Deiter) Pagels for going around and looking at players with potential.
“He saw that Silas is national team material and it’s encouraging,” said Mawiwi.
The match between CAPS United and Harare City will go down in history as the first local league match to be broadcast on the sports channel which had used previous games as trial runs.
“The match will go down in history as the first official league broadcast for Zimbabwe on Supersport and we are happy to be part of that.
“But I have warned my players to remain level headed and try to use the platform to market themselves beyond our borders.
“Naturally, I think we are all motivated with the coming on board of Supersport because its gives us the chance to showcase the talent and I hope the players will give their best and play as a team,” said Mawiwi.
The Green Machine had also been working hard to rebuild their once strong side after fighting relegation towards the end of last season.
CAPS United have parted ways with a number of new players from last season like Shingi Kawondera, Marvel Samaneka, Nqobile Mpala, Washington Pakamisa, Edmore Sibanda, Charles Chiutsa, Itai Chiwara and Asani Nhongo.
But the 2004 and 2005 champions have tried to revamp their personnel by bringing players like rookie forward Takudzwa Mahori, who was playing for Pamushana High last year, Ronald Pfumbidzai, Moses Muchenje, Winston Chiwetu and Dominic Chungwa.
CAPS United team manager, Josephat Rwafa, feels they are ready for the new season as they await to register Kelvin Bulaji who is currently embroiled in dispute with DT Africa United director Wieslaw Grabowski.
At Motor Action Sports Club, the Mighty Bulls will host Hwange in another match lined up for the day one with Joey Antipas happy with their pre-season work-outs.
“We are ready for the new season and tomorrow (today) we should be playing our first game and our systems are in place.
“Now we hope that the players will put into practice what we had been doing for the past eight weeks. We have played quite a few friendly games but it was mostly with Division One clubs and we played Triangle twice.
“Most teams from our Premiership prepare with Division One and lower leagues since top teams are already pre-occupied,” said Antipas.
Motor Action are welcoming back their former talisman Clement Matawu and his brother Louis. Clement was playing in Poland while Louis played for Highlanders and FC Platinum.
The Mighty Bulls has also recruited former CAPS United goalkeeper Itai Chiwara, Douglas Walaza, Blessing Sande, Charles Chiutsa, Emmanuel Meleka and former Dynamos forward Dylan Chivandire.
“We have picked up on some players with experience,” said Antipas.
Today
Motor Action v Hwange (Motor Action Sports Club), Harare City v CAPS United (Rufaro*), How Mine v Triple B (White City)
Tomorrow
Shabanie v Highlanders (Maglas), Buffaloes v FC Platinum (Sakubva), Black Mambas v Dynamos (Morris Depot), Black Rhinos v Monomotapa (Rufaro *), Chicken Inn v Triangle (Luveve)
Sunday
CAPS United v Motor Action (Rufaro*)
Monday
Triangle v Shabanie (Gibbo), Dynamos v Chicken Inn (Rufaro*), Triple B v Black Mambas (Dulibadzimu), Hwange v Black Rhinos (Colliery), Highlanders v Harare City (BF), Monomotapa v Buffaloes (Gwanzura) FC Platinum v How Mine (Mandava),
** Live on Supersport
Online Reporter