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So dramatic was the finale to the season in which FC Platinum made their presence felt in the league in their maiden season, finishing second behind Dynamos who also had their fair share of the fairy tale, fighting their way to the top in the last stages of the campaign after having been written off.
Nonetheless, what happened last season is now for the archives and the new season begins with new expectations. The club owners and administrators have their own expectations, players have their own expectations, fans have their own expectations and sponsors have their own expectations too. And as the first whistle blows this afternoon, the pregnancy of expectations will start developing and come end of season, sizabona ukuthi iyozala nkomoni (we will see the result).
The game of football is heavily followed by the media, perhaps because it is the world’s most popular sport and during the week, I had a chat with a number of journalists who follow the game day in day out, to find out what they thought about the new season.
When talking to them, you get the feeling that FC Platinum still remain the team to beat this season. Dynamos still remain unpredictable with Caps United and
Highlanders expected to do much better than last season and of course, newcomers, Hardbody, Quelaton and Harare City, are expected to fight tooth and nail for survival.
Sunday News reporter Mehluli Sibanda said: “FC Platinum are the team to beat. They have the best players and the best coach (Rahman Gumbo) in the country, they were unlucky to lose out to Dynamos last season. Highlanders also cannot be underestimated, they made some good signings so I think they will be serious contenders. Without Cuthbert Malajila I don’t see Dynamos defending their title.”
Freelance journalist Thandazani Zimbwa said: “Without doubt FC Platinum are the team to beat. Believe me Limo. The Caps United bubble will burst, it could be as early as this Sunday. Dynamos squabbles will destabilise them as the season goes on and as for Highlanders, I don’t think they are ready as yet. FC Platinum are flowing, the players that are there are trying to prove that they are better than the ones discarded. The advantage is that in the process it brings out the best from the players. You must realise that one of their biggest problems last season was player commitment and that seems evident in body language of the current crop. In addition to that you can’t dispute the quality, Qadr Amin, Ali Sadiki, Allan Gahadzikwa etc. Add quality to commitment and you have a recipe for success. My biggest fear though is that in as much as they are strong on the left flank, they seem to lack back balance on the right where they don’t seem as fluid as on the left. They have the human resource on the right but they can’t match what happens on the left. That having been said which other team has the same resources as FC Platinum. Did I hear you say Quelaton? ha ha ha. Their money, if well managed, will definitely buy them success.:
Harare based journalist Hope Chizuzu: “I haven’t been watching teams in the off season but the usual suspects CAPS United, Dynamos, FC Platinum, Bosso, Motor Action are always in the mix. But FC Platinum look more a team and have enough in the squad for replacements. But one thing for sure is that the league will be exciting because the small and new teams will bring in some fights in the season.”
ZBC’s Lee Mangena: “I think Platinum are the team to beat considering that they were nearly men last season. This season presents them with a chance to rise. But if they miss the title this season, they might as well fall flat on their stomachs because that will be hard to take. Dynamos will be affected by their involvement in Africa because each time they go into Africa and do well, they lose concentration and struggle at home. Highlanders might surprise people, but not that much. Blue
Rangers should be fighting relegation together with the likes of Quelaton and Hardbody. Chicken Inn have a chance but will finish mid-table I guess. Hwange will do well again this year and the sooner they are booted out of the African competition the better so that they concentrate on the local league, just like FC Platinum who could be booted out also in Sudan very soon. Caps United have a good squad and must be in the top four, come end of season and Motor Action, who have been doing well in recent years, might slide down to mid table. They lost their stars to FC Platinum.”
NewsDay’s Fortune Mbele: “”I think Caps, FC Platinum and Hwange will be the main teams this season. They have the best players in the league and Highlanders might also mount some serious challenge as well. Bosso have a strong midfield in Mthulisi Maphosa, Simbarashe Mambare, Bhekimpilo Ncube and Erick Mudzingwa, with the likes of Simon Munawa and Peter Rio Moyo also ready for first team jerseys. The defending champions (Dynamos) are also in the race, you can never rule them out of any competition.”
Chronicle’s Sikhumbuzo Moyo said: “Highlanders will be the team to beat. But having seen Caps train that day, I think they will have a very big say. They kept their entire squad from last season and new- comers like Obert Moyo and Rahman Kutsanzira should make them a better team than last season.”
His colleague, Ricky Zililo said: “I think Caps United and FC Platinum are the teams to beat. If you look at the calibre of players they have, they are better than other teams and their physic is good, especially Caps United. You can tell that they are better prepared. Players like Clive Kawinga, Darryl Nyandoro, Tapiwa
Kumbuyani, Evans Gwekwerere, Marvel Skamania, Chris Samakwere and Obert Moyo make Caps United a frightening side to any opponent and you can’t ignore such a team. FC Platinum might not be as strong as last season but they also bought players who can deliver like Allan and Ali who can take on defenders, Michelle
Katswairo and Gilbert Banda, who can marshal defence and can even play as a right back. Platinum also retained some good players from last year. But it is interesting to note that before the season starts, two teams have already thrown in the towel. They have said they are fighting to survive relegation and that is Quelaton and Hardbody. They say they are not aiming for the sky, but the idea is to aim for the moon so that when you fall, you reach the stars.”
Fungai Muderere from B-Metro said: “Despite the offloading of talented players FC Platinum are still a formidable side which Rush (Rahman Gumbo) is slowly but surely getting to understand. Rush and Chikuni (Tendai) have assembled a new side which still has all the much needed financial support. The technical department is strong and players are largely focused on the game than financial grievances like other teams. But I also have a gut feeling that Kelvin Kaindu will spring a surprise at Highlanders.”
Chronicle Sports Editor Lovemore Dube weighed in saying: “Caps United have come up with a very strong side with worthy additions like Nyandoro, Moyo, Kutsanzira and Samakwere. Dynamos traditionally have the most balanced team with at least two players for each position and are always fighting for the title. FC Platinum also have the right chemical mix with new players like Sadiki and Gahadzikwa doing well. I’m happy that Rahman (Gumbo) managed to come back from behind and force a draw against El Merreikh (2-2 in a Champions league game), something which he has struggled to do. New boys like Michelle Katswairo, Welcome Ndiweni, Qadr Amin and Hardlife Muvhundi have also brought a new dimension to the team but my bet is that a fit Donald Ngoma will finish the season as the top goal scorer ahead of Takesure Chinyama and Roderick Mutuma (both Dynamos).
But what worries me about FC Platinum is their defence. They cannot still be depending on people like Norman Togara. Highlanders also come in as favourites. Mthulisi Maphosa is their main man without doubt, but the coach has to get the mix right. Before the league starts, I can tell you teams like Harare City, Quelaton, Hardbody and Monomotapa will be fighting relegation because they do not have the human capital.”
Chronicle News Editor Mkhululi Sibanda wrapped it up by saying: “Highlanders will be a different team this season although they still need a sharp shooter upfront. Njabulo Ncube could have been ideal but I don’t know what happened to him. New guys like Bhekimpilo Ncube, Mthulisi and Milton Ncube are brilliant guys who should get people to fill up Barbourfields Stadium this time around, including Rio and young Arnold Ndiweni, whom I call “Chief”, because he comes from a chieftainship family.”
While things are looking up for Bulawayo teams, Highlanders and Chicken Inn, the blow to the soccer lovers this week was the announcement that Railstars are technically no more.
Railstars, still playing in the Zifa Southern Region Division One league, had become a household name in the country with a number of top players have played for them and its sad when they say goodbye. The parent company, NRZ, said they were pulling out because of financial constraints.
“The National Railways of Zimbabwe has withdrawn sponsorship of the Railstars Football Club in the 2012 soccer season. This decision has come against a backdrop of economic challenges where the organisation has resolved to concentrate on core business of providing freight and passenger services which are key to the recovery and sustenance of the national economy. This has seen the organisation weaning off none-core business activities including Railstars
Football Club,” read part of the statement from the company.
It surely did not make sweet reading but that is how the state of economy has badly affected sport.
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Online Reporter