The Sunday News
Ngqwele Dube, Sports Correspondent
THE Castle Lager Premier Soccer League came to an end with Highlanders FC lifting the Easycall Cup after overcoming league champions Chicken Inn in a tightly contested match.
The 2015 season had its twist and turns with several surprises emerging at the end of the year. Few would have predicted that Chicken Inn would be champions come end of season while Knox Mutizwa had not been counted among those who would illuminate the season.
Chicken Inn
A strong start for the Gamecocks saw them emerging as favourites to land the title and although their title credentials were challenged along the way, Joey Antipas managed to steer the ship ensuring they emerge victors in the title race. A string of three draws in the last five matches saw some write the Gamecocks off as championship material and give the title to FC Platinum but Antipas, who is the only coach to win the title with two different teams in two different cities, ensured a strong finish.
Dynamos
Last year’s league champions had been gunning for a record fifth consecutive championship but David Mandigora, who replaced Kalisto Pasuwa at the beginning of the season as head coach, could not find the consistency needed to defend the title and a string of draws after match day 10 cost him the job but his replacement Tonderayi Ndiraya equally found the going tough. DeMbare managed to claim the second spot although ending the season without silverware in their cabinet.
FC Platinum
The Mimosa Mine-owned side showed patience when they finished the season with one coach, Norman Mapeza, despite his struggles early in the season which saw some agitated fans calling for his head. Mapeza showed pedigree as he steadied the ship and posed a strong challenge for the title but four draws in the last five matches saw the Zvishavane side fizzle out and finish third. The team however, exhibited exciting football that made them the team to watch in 2015.
Triangle
Kelvin Kaindu once again showed his qualities as a great coach as he took the Tongaat Hullet-owned side to a fourth place finish, the highest since their promotion to the PSL in 2013. However, it was the poor second half showing that saw them lose momentum and rule themselves out of the title race. The former Highlanders coach however, brought excitement and hope to the small Triangle community as they dreamt of winning their maiden league title.
Caps United
The change of share-ownership at Makepekepe brought the much needed stability to the team as things threatened to unravel at the club with players early on in the season refusing to fulfil a fixture in Bulawayo against How Mine in protest over unpaid salaries and bonuses. After an indifferent start with Mark Harrison at the helm, Mark Mathe brought some stability and Lloyd Chitembwe brought life to the team and they managed to finish in position five.
Highlanders
Before the season began Bosso faithfuls had hope of a brighter year ahead as they had a new broom in the form of Bongani Mafu but many were skeptical of his abilities as he was yet to prove himself as a coach and an opening defeat did not make matters better.
The first 10 games saw Bosso win and lose an equal number of matches while drawing two. But the next 10 games were horrific as the team only won two, lost three and drew five and by then the multitude of Bosso fans were restless, agitating for Mafu’s ouster. The roping in of Amini Soma-Phiri turned the corner for Bosso as they had a strong finish on position six and lifting the Easycall Cup. It proved to be Knox Mutizwa’s season who banged in 14 goals claiming the Golden Boot in the process.
Harare City
Lifting the Chibuku Super Cup certainly makes it one of the best seasons for the Harare City-owned team who are heading into Africa to play in the Caf Confederations Cup. While most teams are struggling to produce talent they can ship to Europe, City managed to get their second player, Tino Kadewere to Sweden. Finishing in the top eight will secure Taurai Mangwiro’s job, who has shown the potential he has when provided with the right conditions.
Hwange
Hwange had a poor start to the season and with financial problems bedeviling their parent company, Hwange Colliery we all thought they would be heading to Division One but coach, Nation Dube managed to post some impressive results that saw them climb the ladder enabling them a top eight finish.
The Bottom Eight
Chapungu had an indifferent start but a win at Barbourfields against Highlanders saw them lift their form and change for the better, they made it difficult for teams at Ascot Stadium thus managing to survive relegation. ZPC Kariba had dreams of repeating a fairytale run they had last year that saw them finish second but it was not to be a poor beginning saw Saul Chaminuka being shown the exit door and Sunday Chidzambwa brining some stability.
How Mine were given the favourites tag after assembling what some tagged a killing machine with the acquisition of players such as Charles Sibanda, Munyaradzi Diya, Limited Chikafa, Tapiwa Kumbuyani and Devon Chafa among others but they fizzled as the season progressed and then coach, Luke Masomere threw in the towel, but there was no respite as the club slid down further but managed to remain in topflight; the only newcomer remain in the PSL, Tsholotsho survived relegation on the last day to live to tell another tale as the other 2015 entrants, Flame Lily, WhaWha and Dongo Sawmills along with Buffaloes were axed from the league.
