It could still be early days, but those who gallop away in their first games lay the foundation for a strong title fight, moreso when most of the perennial favourites start in jaded mode.
With the way Dynamos, Caps United and Motor Action have begun their season, forgive the platinum miners for declaring to this paper that they would parade this year’s PSL trophy in the streets of Zvishavane, after clinching their first championship.
Both their Zambian-born mentor, Tenant Chilumba, and his players seemed convinced that this was the “Year of the Platinum”. Three of the sides they have beaten so far are not some of the best – Buffaloes, How Mine, Black Mambas and Chicken Inn, but most clubs that subsequently lose out on the championship have done so after they would have flopped against such opposition.
Had Highlanders won either of the two matches they drew at home against Quelaton and Harare City last season, they would have won the championship they eventually lost to Dynamos on goal difference.
Debutants How Mine and police side Black Mambas can be dismissed as token opposition, but that the Midlands side have managed to beat soldiers Buffaloes away in Mutare should go to show that the Kugona Kunenge Kudada assembly mean business this time.
Chilumba was convinced he had the pedigree to last the distance. “We have the stamina to win the league, looking at how we have started this season,” said the former PSL coach of the year, who believed that a pre-season camp in Kariba allowed them to “combine the team’s souls”.
“We worked on co-ordination and team spirit and now any one of the 30 players we have is capable.”
Chilumba is personally not new to winning, having become the first foreigner to clinch the Coach of the Year Accolade in 2011, after an impressive stint with Hwange.
Reigning “Golden Boot” winner, Nelson Maziwisa, said he had two goals to chase – retaining his 2012 award and winning the championship with the Midlanders. “We have what it takes and personally, I would want to maintain my Golden Boot title and score more than I did last season,” said the on-fire striker, who led the scoring charts at the time of going to print.
Captain Daniel Vheremu also believed in the side. “There is unity in the team, something we did not have last season, where we fought and insulted each other after matches, but now we are united.”
Former Castle Soccer Star of the Year, who has previously tasted the championship with Motor Action, echoed the same sentiments. “Siyasebenzelana (We work for each other) in this team and that is a strength that will make us win the championship,” said Sibanda.
Menacing forward Donald Ngoma declared a tough time for defenders this season, as he said none would be able to stop their frontline.
Post published in: Football
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