The Sunday Mail
Online Reporter
BULAWAYO football fans are in for a treat during the opening week of the 2023 Castle Lager Premier Soccer League as local giants Highlanders and Dynamos start their campaigns in the City of Kings.
Chibuku Super Cup holders Bulawayo Chiefs are also in Bulawayo as they host perennial campaigners Ngezi Platinum Stars.
Bulawayo Chiefs have regrouped after a forgettable ending to last season when they were plagued by financial constraints, a situation which forced a number of key players like the Moyo twins – Kelvin and Elvis – to leave the club.
However, the Ninjas have risen from the deathbed and look like they could be a stubborn side once again, if their performance in last weekend’s loss to FC Platinum in the Castle Challenge Cup is anything to go by.
In former Warriors star midfielder Danny “Deco” Phiri, Chiefs might have found a veteran who can stitch things together.
Bulawayo Chiefs entertain Takesure Chiragwi’s Ngezi at Luveve on Saturday, while newly promoted Hwange will square up against DeMbare at Barbourfields Stadium on the same day.
Highlanders will then close the weekend with a date against ZPC Kariba at Emagumeni on Sunday.
Lizwe Sweswe, who replaced Nilton Terroso at Bulawayo Chiefs, is confident his charges can hold their own in title race.
He picked some positives when his side lost 0-2 against FC Platinum in the Castle Cup Challenge at Mandava last weekend.
“I think we will do our best when the season starts,” Sweswe told the media at Mandava Stadium.
Dynamos invade the City of Kings a largely changed side following some massive recruitment during the preseason.
Talented and yet truant player Denver Mukamba is back at the Glamour Boys and could play some role against Hwange on Saturday.
Mukamba has been used as a late substitute in the friendly matches that Dynamos played between February and March.
Attention will also be on central midfielder Tanaka Shandirwa, who has received rave reviews during the offseason.
Arthur “Diego” Musiyiwa – scorer of the solitary goal that won Bulawayo Chiefs the Chibuku Super Cup against Herentals in November – is now at DeMbare and is also another player to watch.
As for Bosso, they have managed to retain Soccer Star of the Year finalist Devine Mhindirira as well as skipper Ariel Sibanda, Peter Muduhwa, Ray Lunga, Godfrey “Godera” Makaruse, Stanley Ngala, Washington Navaya and Rahman Kutsanzira.
Match Day One Fixtures
Saturday
Bulawayo Chiefs v Ngezi Platinum Stars (Luveve), Hwange v Dynamos (BF), Simba Bhora v FC Platinum (National Sports Stadium), Sheasham v Chicken Inn (Mandava)
Sunday
Highlanders v ZPC Kariba (BF), CAPS United v Manica Diamonds (National Sports), Triangle v Herentals (Gibbo)
Monday
Yadah v Green Fuel (National Sports Stadium) 12pm Cranborne Bullets v Black Rhinos (National Sports Stadium) 3pm
