MARKSMAN: Malajila will be a big miss for Chapungu • Zimbabwe league season delayed by a week • Highlanders through despite defeat • Dynamos through to 2nd round • Dynamos take slender lead on champions league return • Malajila leads Highlanders rampage • Muhoni gatecrashes H'landers party • Dynamos look to past for inspiration • Goal shy Highlanders strikers on the spot • Dynamos, Highlanders meet in Charity Shield • 2008 Premier Soccer League Fixtures

By Nkanyiso Moyo

AFTER a false start last week, the 2008 CBZ Premier Soccer League action gets underway this weekend with the mouth-watering Harare derby clash between CAPS United and champions Dynamos.

The league kick-off had to be postponed by a week last week at the request of the sponsors who were awaiting the delivery of branded kits for all the 16 league teams.

PSL fixtures secretary Godfrey Japajapa said the Zimbabwe national soccer team’s trip to South Africa on Monday would not cause another delay as players will lose just a day of training.

“After last week’s embarrassment, I do not see any problems this time around and I must say we are working flat out to make sure all is in order before Friday. We have kits that have to be delivered to clubs and all should be in by Wednesday for clubs to pick during a function,” he said.

The league sponsorship package by the Commercial Bank of Zimbabwe was set to be unveiled at the function.

David George was expected to take charge of Dynamos’ training sessions on Tuesday and Wednesday as David Mandigora travelled to South Africa with the Warriors on Monday.

Mandigora said defeat against their city rivals would not have a bearing on their title defence.

He said: “We have not been lucky in our first games, but I do not think the game against CAPS United will decide our season. We lost to Eastern Lions last year, but we ended as the champions.

“This is a big game for us, we have been active in four competitive matches against Highlanders in the Charity Shield and Royal Leopards in the Champions League and I am impressed with the level of commitment from the players.”

Dynamos splashed on the transfer market by acquiring Farai Vimisayi and Brighton Tuwaya from Lancashire Steel, Lazarus Muhoni from relegated Black Rhinos, the pair of Thomas Sweswe and Benjamin Marere from relegated Mwana Africa and Admire Dzukamanja from Highlanders.

Luke Masomere, a replacement for Moses Chunga, will be aiming to bring back the glory days at United who have played second fiddle to their city rivals.

In Bulawayo, former champions Highlanders will be keen to put a disappointing season behind them when they take on Njube Sundowns at Barbourfields in a Bulawayo derby.

In the warm up to this match, Highlanders lost 2-1 to Chapungu in a friendly match on Sunday.

Irvine Tinarwo’s goal was cancelled out by strikes by Phillip Marufu and Tererai Zinyowera.

Highlanders technical manager Methembe Ndlovu expects a feisty encounter.

He said: “There are a lot of things in a derby, pride passion and obviously, no team wants to lose their opening fixture. We will try to work on a few things on Tuesday and Wednesday.”

Sundowns were also on the receiving end at Luveve Stadium over the weekend, losing 2-0 Shabanie Mine in another friendly.

Sundowns fielded former Hwange, Railstars, Highlanders and Zimbabwe Saints veteran midfielder Charles Chilufya, former AmaZulu and Monomotapa man James Phiri and another former Highlanders player, Thabani Moyo.

Despite the loss, Sundowns could turn out to be one of the strongest teams this season as Moyo was paired with Evans Chikwayikwayi and Patrick Tom upfront in what could be the most lethal partnership in the league.

Highlanders will parade new signings Herbert Dick, Stephen Alimenda, Protasha Kabwe, Jacob Muzokomba, Cuthberth Malajila, Nhlanhla Ncube, Tererai Kujinga, Abraham Mbaiwa, Irvine Tinarwo and Thamsanqa Ndimande.

Sundowns confirmed the departure of coach Beavan Gwamure on Sunday and team manager Josh Mhizha will take charge of the first game.

Another derby clash is on the cards in the Midlands with Lancashire Steel, who lost three players to Highlanders and Dynamos, taking on Chapungu who are preparing for life without Malajila, the country’s best striker in 2007.

Newboys Kiglon and Underhill size up each other in Harare, while Gunners face former league title contenders Motor Action.

Gunners manager Welly Mupandare said: "We are geared for the opening of the season. It will be our first time in the top league but we will show the big boys
that we are here to stay."

For the first time in the history of the modern league, two teams, Masvingo and Underhill, will share Mucheke Stadium after the newly promoted team failed to get a suitable venue in Beitbridge.

PSL FIXTURES: WEEK 1
Saturday: Gunners v Motor Action (Callies), Monomotapa v Shooting Stars (Gwanzura), Kiglon v Underhill (Dzivarasekwa)

Sunday: CAPS United v Dynamos (Gwanzura) Highlanders v Sundowns (Barbourfields), Masvingo United v Lengthens (Mucheke), Lancashire Steel v Chapungu (Baghdad), CAPS FC v Eastern Lions (Dzivarasekwa)

PSL TEAMS’ COACHES:

Dynamos-David Mandigora
Highlanders-Methembe Ndlovu
CAPS United-Luke Masomere
Masvingo-Taurayi Mangwiro
Shooting Stars-Patson Ndabambi
Monomotapa-Norman Mapeza,
Kiglon-Lloyd Chitembwe, Solomon Kaseke
Gunners-Beaven Gwamure (likely to be changes before weekend)
Underhill-Lindile Dube
Eastern Lions-Brenna Msiska
Motor Action-Jostein Mathuthu
Njube Sundowns-Josh Mhizha
Chapungu-Collins Mahara
Lancashire Steel-Max Malume Moyo
Lengthens-Moses Chunga
CAPS FC-Joey Antipas (technical manager)
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