PSL Roars Into Life.

It is one week- starting 8 March-, clubs appear not to have appreciated its real value in terms of the eventual outcome of the league race, but history has always shown the first match of the season would almost, always, be a reflection of the general direction a club’s league campaign would take, in the course of the year.

The uninformed explanation of a loss on opening day would be, the campaign has only just started, yet clubs forget those three points will always be a factor when the relegation and title equation is played out, in the countdown and subsequent run-in to the season.

This weekend will mark WEEK ONE of the season, with WEEK THIRTY bringing down the curtain on what looks set to be a keenly contested programme. The Premiership will take a one-month break in June to pave way for the Warriors’ 2010 World and Nations Cup qualification campaigns, in which the national team faces Guinea, Kenya and Namibia for berths at both the World Cup in South Africa and the 27rh edition of the Africa Cup of Nations to be held in Angola.

 The total sponsorship of the Premiership can only be worked out with the last kick of the ball- as happened in the 2007 season-, due to Zimbabwe’s hyperinflation, which has made any long-term planning virtually impossible.

The topflight has made some interesting pairings that should make this a weekend to savour for the football enthusiasts. The city derby pitting Caps United and Dynamos is easily the star attraction of the week, judging by the rivalry which has always existed since CAPS United burst onto the topflight scene with such splendour in 1977. Dynamos- in existence since 1964- has never quite enjoyed the total domination of the capital since United’s arrival, and whenever the two giants meet- no matter what would be at stake- the matches have always been a passionate affair, with fans expecting no less this weekend. And the fact that Dynamos would want to start defence of their league crown in style- and Caps are out to reclaim lost glory after a mediocre 2007 season in which DeMbare and Bulawayo giants Highlanders were the dominant forces- make this a real blood-and-thunder clash.

And the fact history will be made on the day in question, as Zimbabwe unveils its first-ever artificial turf at Rufaro Stadium- venue of this match- has captured the imagination of soccer-crazy fans, who follow the two giants.

Rufaro Stadium- which was shut down in August last year to allow for the installation of an astro-turf under the Win in Africa with Africa initiative being funded by world soccer body FIFA- has been transformed into an impressive facility, and fans would be curious to have a glimpse of its much publicized facelift.

Meanwhile, the rest of the PSL fixtures do not have any similar sensational pairings, but that does not take away the fact this is will be a season to savour, with the chosen venues- Mucheke, Sakubva, Rufaro, Gwanzura, Motor Action Callies, Dzivaresekwa , Ascot, Barbourfields, Pelandaba,  and Baghdad , having been confirmed venues for the 2008 Premier Soccer League season. There were moves to register Trojan Mine Stadium in Bindura, Chibuku Stadium in Chitungwiza, Portland in Mabvuku, and Dulibadzimu in Beitbridge Stadiums for PSL matches this season, but the league bosses, alongside the grounds inspection committee, had still not finalized the issue at the beginning of the week. With clubs having been caught-up in the last-minute rush to conclude their off-season signings and register with the league, the football community awaits the season with baited breath.

Highlanders, who played second fiddle to DeMbare last year- surrendering both the league championship as well as Zimbabwe’s premier  knockout trophy- the CBZ FA Cup- appear in prime shape to challenge for honours this year, with bookmakers- once again- predicting this to be a three-horse race, yet again.

But football has an interesting way of making nonsense of the formbook, because such clubs as Shooting Stars, Kiglon, Gunners, and Masvingo United have gone on a massive reconstruction exercise in the off-season, and are, therefore, an unknown quantity.

And with the football fraternity ready for the big take off, one can only say;   LET THE GAMES BEGIN.

  FIXTURES

 WEEK ONE

Caps United vs Dynamos; Highlanders vs Sundowns; Masvingo United vs Lengthens; Gunners vs Motor Action; Lancashire Steel vs Chapungu; CAPS FC vs Eastern Lions; Monomotapa vs Shooting Stars; Kiglon vs Underhill.

 

WEEK TWO

Lancashire Steel vs Caps United; Kiglon vs Sundowns; Gunners vs Lengthens; Masvingo United vs Chapungu; Highlanders vs CAPS FC; Monomotapa vs Motor Action; Underhill vs Shooting Stars; Eastern Lions vs Dynamos. ENDS