Online Reporter
Ray Bande
Senior Reporter
THE mid-season break typically disrupts the performance of teams in top form, but for Chisumbanje-based premiership outfit, GreenFuel FC, the international break provided a welcome opportunity for three key players to recover from injuries.
The 2025 Castle Lager Premier Soccer League took a break last weekend to accommodate the FIFA international break.
In line with the FIFA International Match Window calendar, the Premier Soccer League advised stakeholders that the league would observe a break to enable the Zimbabwe Warriors to participate in two friendly matches in Morocco.
Consequently, no PSL matches were scheduled during this period.
The league resumes tomorrow (Saturday), with GreenFuel hosting TelOne at the GreenFuel Arena in Chisumbanje.
The season has reached its 14th MatchDay, with top-flight league newcomers, MWOS comfortably leading the pack, while traditional giants Dynamos and Highlanders played out a dull draw during their last encounter.
Uncharacteristic of both clubs, Dynamos remain in the relegation zone, while Highlanders are stuck in mid-table.
However, it is Taurai Mangwiro’s GreenFuel FC that derived the most benefit from this break, as three of their key players were nursing injuries.
Mangwiro welcomed the break, saying it gave his injured players a chance to recover.
“The break was a blessing in disguise for us, as we had three captains – Honest Moyo, Tashinga Pfende, and Brian Chikwenya – as well as influential players, Ronald Chitiyo and Perfect Chikwende out injured. Hopefully, by the time we face TelOne, some of them will have recovered,” said Mangwiro.
The former Eastern Lions coach aims to reach the mid-season mark while occupying a spot in the upper half of the log table.
“Assessing the team’s performance so far, I think we will have a clearer picture by mid-season. Our objective is to be in the top half of the table by then,” said Mangwiro.
Upon joining the Premier Soccer League, Chisumbanje-based side, GreenFuel FC, sought to build on their impressive debut season in the top-flight league, where they finished 10th and narrowly avoided relegation.
However, their 2024 season got off to a troubled start, prompting fears of a swift return to the second tier.
The team changed coaches twice within the first 10 matches of the campaign. Despite this, GreenFuel FC managed to finish 12th in the 2024 season, thanks in part to their strong home record.
They secured seven wins and 10 draws at their home ground, the GreenFuel Arena.
However, their away form was a different story, with the team managing only three wins on the road.
Meanwhile, in other PSL action, inconsistent Manica Diamonds, still reeling from a humiliating 0-1 defeat to struggling CAPS United, face Ngezi Platinum tomorrow (Saturday) at Baobab Stadium in Mhondoro.
