• 2009 CBZ Premier Soccer League Fixtures • Ndlela is new Highlanders chairman • Methembe Ndlovu buys Eastern Lions • Monmomotapa clinch premiership title

Posted to the web: 05/03/2009 10:53:45
METHEMBE Ndlovu will not have to wait long when the new Premier Soccer League season kicks off to test the rivalry between his new club Bantu Rovers and Highlanders. The two Bulawayo clubs were drawn to play each other in the second week of the new season which gets underway on the weekend of March 21-22.

The Premier Soccer League has released fixtures of the 2009 season (see first 10 matches) and all eyes will be on Ndlovu’s Rovers after the former Highlanders coach acquired Eastern Lions’ franchise and moved the team to Bulawayo from Mutare, under a new name.

While the PSL annual assembly last Saturday wasted no time in approving the sale of the Eastern Lions franchise, a long running dispute between CAPS United and CAPS Holdings looks set to dominate sports headlines for a few more weeks.

CAPS Holdings have indicated they want to use the name CAPS United after they acquired the Shooting Stars franchise following CAPS FC’s relegation at the end of last season. The matter has been referred to arbitration.

A planned merger between Njube Sundowns and Zimbabwe Saints is definitely off, officials say, for at least another season.

After a quiet first week in which champions Monomotapa take on league debutants Highway, it all explodes in week two when Bosso and Rovers clash – setting the stage for an enthralling season in the City of Kings.

Stoking up the rivalry has been Rovers’ shock acquisition of Highlanders and national team goalkeeper Washington Arubi.

The big Harare derby between CAPS United and Dynamos comes on week 5, and two weeks later bitter rivals Highlanders and Dynamos clash at Barbourfields.

2008 Premier Soccer League Play-Offs:

TEAM	P	W	D	L	F	A	PTS
P - Eagles	5	4	1	0	12	5	13
Lancashire Steel	4	2	1	1	12	7	7
Shabanie Mine	4	2	0	2	6	9	6
Mwana Africa	5	0	0	5	4	14	0

2008 CBZ Premier Soccer League Top Goal Scorers:

23 GOALS: Evans Chikwaikwai (Njube Sundowns)
16 GOALS: Cuthberth Malajila (Highlanders)
15 GOALS: Edward Sadomba (Dynamos)
11 GOALS: Charles Chiutsa (Monomotapa)
9 GOALS: Douglas Zimbago (Highlanders)
8 GOALS: Daniel Zokoto (Monomotapa)
8 GOALS: Phillip Makanje (Lancashire Steel)
8 GOALS: Norman Maroto (Dynamos)
7 GOALS: Makai Kawashu (Monomotapa)
7 GOALS: Tendai Nyamadzawo (Lengthens)

2008 CBZ Premier Soccer League Final Standings:

TEAM		Played	Won	Drew	Lost	G/F	G/A	Points
1	C - Monomotapa	30	18	6	6	41	28	60
2	Dynamos	30	16	10	4	41	25	58
3	Njube Sundowns	30	15	3	12	42	36	48
4	Shooting Stars	30	12	8	10	37	26	44
5	Lengthens	30	11	8	11	37	41	41
6	Gunners	30	10	10	10	42	39	40
7	Highlanders	30	9	15	6	34	25	39
8	Kiglon	30	9	12	9	31	32	39
9	Underhill	30	9	11	10	38	44	38
10	Eastern Lions	30	9	11	10	24	27	38
11	Motor Action	30	11	4	15	32	42	37
12	CAPS United	30	8	12	10	35	32	36
13	P/O - Lancashire	30	10	6	14	37	45	36
14	R - Chapungu	30	9	7	14	31	32	34
15	R - Masvingo United	30	8	9	13	34	49	33
16*	R - CAPS FC	29	5	10	15	29	40	25
* Docked 3 points for using suspended player v Motor Action

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