adminRicky Zililo Senior Sports Reporter
THE Castle Lager Premier Soccer League season roars into life this afternoon with league debutants Tsholotsho FC opening their account against Harare City at Rufaro Stadium. Harare City, who survived the chop on the last day of last season following their 1-0 win over Chicken Inn, have said they will be taking no prisoners and want to get off to a good start.
Coached by ex-Monomotapa and Caps United gaffer Taurai Mangwiro, the Sunshine City Boys have made their title aspirations public.
If Mangwiro’s words are anything to go with, then Tsholotsho FC should expect a hostile welcome into the Premiership.
“Let the season roll. We want to launch a formidable title challenge,” Mangwiro boldly declared yesterday.
“We don’t want a repeat of last season where the team struggled because of a poor start. The biggest challenge going into the game against Tsholotsho FC is to guard against complacency. We absolutely don’t know anything about them and I’ve been telling my boys that the best way to approach the game is just to implement what we have been doing at training.”
Last season Harare City finished with 38 points, just one above Black Rhinos who were fourth from the bottom.
Mangwiro joined them in December and reinforced the squad with the former Caps United quartet of goalkeeper Tafadzwa Dube, Tendai Samanja, Honey Chimutimunzeve and Nicholas “Tico” Alifandika.
They also got tough-as-teak defender Temba Ndlovu from Dynamos and Hebron Makukutu, young brother to former AmaZulu forward Taurai Makukutu from Mutare City.
On the other hand the Zhwane Boys said they were not afraid of their opponents.
Lizwe Sweswe said his charges were geared up for the fight against Harare City and other matches to come.
“Our aim is to be in the league to stay and that requires us to play well. Everyone is excited about the opportunity to be in the Premiership and they understand the importance of every point on offer. We will be taking each game as it comes and to sum it all, we are ready for the challenge that lies ahead,” Sweswe said.
The only player with Premiership experience at Tsholotsho FC is Kudzanai Machazane who made cameo appearances for Highlanders last season and was also part of Hardbody FC in 2012.
Players to watch out for at Tsholotsho are MacClive “Skippy” Phiri who was a Highlanders off-season target, Butholezwe “Ncue” Ncube, captain William Stima and his deputy Nkosilathi Moyo.
Mncedisi Gumede who was part of the national Under-15 team that went for the 2010 Youth Olympics in Singapore is also part of Tsholotsho FC.
Week One
Today: Harare City v Tsholotsho (Rufaro, SuperSport)
Tomorrow: FC Platinum v Dongo Sawmill (Mandava), Chicken Inn v Flame Lily (Luveve), Dynamos v Buffaloes (National Sports Stadium, SuperSport), ZPC Kariba v Highlanders (Gwanzura)
Sunday: Triangle United v Hwange (Gibbo), How Mine v Chapungu (Luveve), Whawha v Caps United (Ascot).
Online Reporter