Moffat Mungazi
Ray Bande
Senior Reporter
CASTLE Lager Premiership clubs have until today (Friday) to finalise their player transfer deals as Eastern Region sides — Manica Diamonds and GreenFuel — put finishing touches to their preseason preparations.
The 2025 season will officially commence on February 22 with the Castle Challenge Cup between league champions, Simba Bhora and Chibuku Super Cup holders, Dynamos.
According to PSL spokesperson, Kudzai Bare: “The February 14 deadline is an internal one whereby we expect all the clubs to have finalised their registration of their players. March 31 is the deadline we hope to have completed all the processes.”
In the Lowveld, GreenFuel FC are quietly going about their business, and prospects of assembling a formidable outfit are high following the acquisition of several new players.
To date, Post Sport understands that GreenFuel, affectionately known as Boys DzeNharo or Ethanol Boys, have secured the services of strikers, Perfect Chikwende from Simba Bhora and Rodwell Chitiyo from Nyasa Bullets; Tarisai Chikwende from Bulawayo Chiefs, Marlon Mushonga from Yadah Stars; and goalkeeper, Ashley Reyners from Caps United.
On the other hand, Manica Diamonds have already signed former Dynamos expatriate, Emmanuel Paga, as well as the former FC Platinum duo, Ransome Pavari and Lawrence Mhlanga.
The Mutare diamond miners have also enticed former Mushowani, Chicken Inn, and ZPC Kariba player, Clive Dzingai, as well as Issah Sadiki from Dynamos. Bulawayo giants, Highlanders, are understood to have finalised the signing of Tendai Muvhuti from Hwange, while Chicken Inn have added Tinashe Mashaireni from Kwekwe United to their ranks.
Reigning PSL champions, Simba Bhora have secured the services of Enock Moyo, Chris Makambira, First Gandizani, and Barnabas Mutuche, all formerly of relegation survivors, Bikita Minerals.
Caps United have also made a statement in the transfer market, securing the signatures of Harmony Nare from ZPC Hwange, highly rated Tanaka Shandirwa from Dynamos, Kundai Benyu from England, Juan Mutudza and Brighton Manhire from FC Platinum.
To bolster their squad, FC Platinum, arguably the strongest team on paper ahead of the 2025 season, have signed three players from Malawi — defender, Nickson Nyasulu, midfielder, Precious Phiri, and striker, Vincent Nyangulu.
To their credit, Pure Platinum Play have demonstrated commitment to promoting junior talent by elevating players from their Under-19 team.
Judging from their performance last season, their weakness lay in defence, not attack, and it is no wonder that Norman Mapeza’s team has retained all their attackers, including James Ngulube from GreenFuel and Claivert Tshuma from Hwange.
The side has only lost Mhlanga, Pavari, Mutudza, and Mutimbanyoka, most of whom were part of the club’s Achilles’ heel last season.
Manica Diamonds assistant coach, Tafadzwa Mashiri told Post Sport that their preparations are progressing well, and the club is almost ready for the 2025 season.
“Preparations are going very well. We are pushing ourselves to ensure that we are ready for the start of the season. We are also using practice matches as part of our preparations and to gauge our readiness.
“Unfortunately, our scheduled match against Triangle last Saturday was cancelled due to bad weather. However, we look forward to having other practice matches in the near future.
“We have covered a considerable amount of ground, and are on track to cover crucial aspects of the game. We believe we have a modest team that can compete well when the season kicks off. We are finalising our squad ahead of the PSL registration deadline on Friday, 14 February (today). We do not foresee any additions to the squad apart from those already made,” he said.
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