HARARE giants Dynamos have a relatively easy start to the 2023 Castle Lager Premier Soccer League season as they play three newly-promoted sides in their first three matches of the competition which is set to start on March 18.
PSL yesterday released the fixtures and commencement date for the local championships.
DeMbare, who are looking to end an eight-year drought without winning the league title, make the long trip to Hwange for their season opener before they host Gweru side Sheasham.
The Herbert Maruwa-coached side then travels to Shamva for a date with Simba Bhora who are now under the tutelage of former DeMbare coach Tonderai Ndiraya.
The Glamour Boys will renew their rivalry with Highlanders in match-day five after hosting Cranborne Bullets, while the big Harare Derby against Caps United is scheduled for the seventh week and a date with the defending champions FC Platinum is slated on week 14 in Harare.
A league title will be special for Dynamos who are celebrating their 60th anniversary this year and have thrust Maruwa to lead the campaign following the departure of Ndiraya at the end of last season.
Last season, Dynamos finished in third place after investing a lot in new players, and Maruwa has brought in his own 14 new players for the season.
FC Platinum will be gunning for an unprecedented fifth consecutive league title this year and will kick off their title defence with a fixture away at newboys Simba Bhora before hosting Cranborne Bullets the following week.
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The Zvishavane-based side will face Highlanders away, host Bulawayo Chiefs and travel to play Caps United in Harare in their next three encounters.
Bosso appear to have the toughest fixtures in their first five matches, starting off at home to ZPC Kariba before taking on Black Rhinos away and then three big fixtures against FC Platinum (home), Chicken Inn (home) and Dynamos (away).
Caps United, who had a difficult season last year, host ambitious side Manica Diamonds on the opening day before travelling to Ngezi Platinum Stars and also play ZPC Kariba, Black Rhinos and FC Platinum in their next three fixtures.
The Green Machine have gone about their business quietly during the pre-season and coach Lloyd Chitembwe will be itching to make amends this season, barring any off-field blues which affected the team last year.
It is but a baptism of fire for newly-promoted Simba Bhora who face FC Platinum (home), Chicken Inn (away) and Dynamos (home) in their first three matches in the top-flight league.
But the Shamva-based side should be able to cause an upset or two considering the calibre of players and coach that they have brought to the club.
The PSL also announced that two stadia, Ascot Stadium in Gweru and Rusape’s Vengere Stadium have failed the test to host the PSL matches as yet, meaning that newboys Sheasham, Black Rhinos and Cranborne Bullets will be forced to look for alternative venues.
“Please be advised that Ascot Stadium and Vengere Stadium have failed to meet the minimum stadium requirements as set by the Zifa Club Licensing First Instance Body. The stadia will not host PSL matches until the necessary requirements are met,” said a statement by PSL spokesperson Kudzai bare.
The Castle Challenge Cup, a fore-runner to the local league pitting league champions FC Platinum and Chibuku Super Cup winners Bulawayo Chiefs will be played on March 11 at Mandava Stadium in Zvishavane.
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