The Sunday News
THE Castle Lager Premier Soccer League reached its halfway mark last week with teams playing their 15th game of the season and at the end of it all, the log looked no different from the way it has been at this stage in the past two seasons. The usual “suspects” are perched high among the top six with Bulawayo giants Highlanders in the lead with 30 points as has been the norm in the past two years, while defending champions Dynamos are third, former Cup Kings Caps United are also in the mix with the same number of points, but DeMbare boast a superior goal difference.
Newcomers ZPC Kariba have surprised many with their gusty performance throughout the first half and are the only team yet to taste defeat and they lie second having the same number of points with Dynamos (27).
Despite the club indicating they are still in search of a striker, Highlanders have been banging in the goals and have a goal difference of 17 goals and are likely to be eager to seek more goals to ensure they don’t suffer the same fate for the third year running as they have lost to Dynamos due to an inferior goal difference in the past two seasons.
Bosso have scored 29 goals and only let in 12 while their perennial rivals have managed just 14 and have conceded eight times.
At the beginning of the year, Highlanders coach, Kelvin Kaindu emphasised on the need not to fall the same way and his players seem to have heeded his call and are scoring the goals.
Former Highlanders striker, Zenzo “Zemura” Moyo said Bosso needed to be ruthless upfront and maximise goals when playing disjointed teams.
“It is an open secret that Bosso has been losing to Dynamos on goal difference and if they want a cushion they should score more goals. There are games where you realise the team should win by a four or five-goal margin but the players squander chances when they should take advantage.
“The teams should also aim to avoid defeat at all costs and not lose concentration, if they are to go all the way to win the title,” said Moyo.
Football commentator and analyst Charles “CNN” Mabika said despite the low standard and quality of football being dished out in the Premiership, it has turned out to be exciting and competitive.
While at the beginning of the season the fight was always seen to be between Highlanders and Dynamos, Caps United and ZPC Kariba have emerged as teams that could be party spoilers for Zimbabwe’s two traditional football giants.
ZPC Kariba have been consistent and managed to break down Hwange at the Colliery where the coal miners had put up a fortress. The team’s strategy to recruit experienced players when they were promoted at the beginning of the year seems to be paying dividends as veterans such as Limited Chikafa and Artwell Nyamiwa have ensured the team’s fairytale run continues. It remains to be seen if they can continue with the title charge in the second-half and lift the championship in their first year in the elite league.
Hwange’s earnest start seems to have lost steam and although they were on fire at the beginning of the season, occupying the top spot for several weeks, three losses on the trot has seen them fall to number five and seven points off pacesetters Bosso.
“Hwange got off to a flying start but somehow the wheels have come off the rails and they are on a downward trend. Their early performance made me think maybe they are serious contenders for the title but I guess their fans will have to wait for another season before they can start dreaming of landing the title,” said Mabika.
For a moment, many thought Hwange could start dreaming of landing their first title but their nosedive has shown they are not ready to keep up the pace.
Dynamos’ woes seem to be in the final third as they are finding it hard to rake in the goals and have won most of their matches by a single goal margin.
The arrival of 2011 top goal scorer, Roderick Mutuma at DeMbare about three weeks ago has given the champions hope of retaining their title. However, they will have to score more and ensure they do not drop points against their top four rivals.
Dynamos have managed to shrug off challengers in the dying stages of the PSL duels in the past three seasons and their players seem to be able to rise to the occasion at the most critical point.
Caps seem to be on the rise following an indifferent start and Taurai Mangwiro’s men are gelling up, playing beautiful football that can catapult them to the top as the season progresses.
They won four of their last five matches that assured them a steady rise on the log and they are ready to present a stiff challenge to Dynamos and Highlanders at the top.
“Caps and ZPC Kariba pose the most serious challenge to Bosso and DeMbare, Mangwiro’s men are playing beautiful football and as a single unit if they keep up the momentum they can lift the title, no doubt.
“FC Platinum has been playing well but results are not coming their way, Lloyd Mutasa’s passing game is pleasing to the eye but now he has to make sure it also produces the results if they are entertaining any hopes of winning the league,” said Mabika.
The clubs will certainly use the transfer window that closes at the end of the month to beef up their squads but there are not likely to be many surprises come end of season.
At the bottom of the table, Chiredzi FC look like they are Division One-bound and boardroom squabbles are not likely to aid the side as director Moses Chunga and chairman Charles Muchatukwa battle for control of the club and with only seven points in the bag they are unlikely to survive the chop.
Bulawayo side, Bantu Rovers at 14 points, Black Rhinos (15), Harare City (15), Chapungu (16) and Triangle (17) are all not safe from relegation as they occupy position 15, 14, 13, 12 and 11 respectively. The teams have to up their ante if they hope to continue their dance with the Premiership next year.
