Online Reporter
Eddie Chikamhi
Zimpapers Sports Hub
PREMIERSHIP newboys Scottland and league returnees Triangle are set to get the ball rolling at Rufaro when the 2025 Castle Lager Premiership season gets underway this Friday.
The Mabvuku side, who make their debut on the big stage, are the newest tenants at the Harare City Council-owned facility, which is likely be home to four teams from the capital.
Rufaro is the only homologated venue in Harare at the moment.
Resultantly, the stadium will host three games inside as many days in the opening week.
After the Scottland game, Herentals will host TelOne on Saturday before giants Dynamos welcome ZPC Kariba at the same venue the following day.
However, the intense use of the venue may not be sustainable as the grass turf is likely to deteriorate faster than it does compared to when in normal use.
The organisers will be hoping that the damage will not be the same kind experienced by the National Sports Stadium when football returned at the facility after the Covid-19 break.
The PSL has been facing stadium challenges for the past few years with the unavailability of such venues as the National Sports Stadium, Gwanzura, Morris Depot, and LaFarge, which currently do not meet the required standards.
Away from the venue’s challenges, the season promises an exciting opening round of matches with fans interested to see how the expensively assembled Scottland will perform in their first match.
Scottland have overhauled their squad and administration structures in the quest to make an impact against the big boys.
They have assembled a star-studded team after convincing more than half the players who made it on the Castle Soccer Stars calendar.
These include Soccer Star of the Year Walter Musona and his two runners-up Lynoth Chikuhwa and Khama Billiat, Kingsley Mureremba, Godknows Murwira and Tymon Machope.
They raided almost all the top teams after also securing the likes of Michael Tapera, Tichaona Chipunza, Gareth Madhake, Mthokozisi Msebe, Panashe Mutimbanyoka, Nelson Chadya, Talbert Shumba, Vasili Kawe, and the Moyo twins, Kevin and Elvis.
Scottland have not hidden their intent, as they also appointed new coach Tobnderai Ndiraya, who had just led Simba Bhora to their maiden league title.
Triangle are returning under the tutelage of veteran Luke Masomere.
Another interesting match is expected between title holders Simba Bhora and Norman Mapeza’s former champions FC Platinum at Wadzanayi.
CAPS United, who have been doing their business quietly, will be away to GreenFuel in Chisumbanje. The Harare giants are among the teams that have a busy final week of preparations.
The Green Machine yesterday announced that Farai Tawachera has joined them as assistant to Lloyd Chitembwe.
“I’m delighted to be welcomed here, and I look forward to helping the team win in the season. I could have joined other clubs, but Lloyd Chitembwe showed confidence and interest in having me as part of the technical team,” said Tawachera.
Apart from bolstering their technical team, the Green Machine have also signed players that include Kundai Benyu and Tanaka Shandirwa, a Congolese midfielder Love Bissila Mabiala, and a Ghanaian goalkeeper Stephen Odai Kwaku.
Chicken Inn, who host Bikita Minerals at Luveve on Saturday, yesterday confirmed seven new players that include Edward Musena, Kumbirai Nyamutenha, Tadiwa Muchenje, Tinashe Mashaireni, Vince Mugange, Aron Ngwenya, and ex-Ngezi Platinum Stars midfielder Walter Vuwa.
Highlanders will begin the new term away at Lloyd Mutasa’s newboys MWOS in a match to be hosted at Baobab, while DeMbare, who fired warning shots after lifting the Castle Challenge Cup, welcomes ZPC Kariba at Rufaro on Sunday.
Fixture:
Friday: Scottland v Triangle (Rufaro)
Saturday: Herentals v TelOne (Rufaro), Simba Bhora v FC Platinum (Wadzanayi), Manica Diamonds v Yadah (Sakubva), Chicken Inn v Bikita Minerals (Luveve), Kwekwe United v Ngezi Platinum Stars (Bata), GreenFuel v CAPS United (GreenFuel Arena)
Sunday: Dynamos v ZPC Kariba (Rufaro), MWOS v Highlanders (Baobab)
