As the 2010 premier soccer league beckons, GRACE CHIRUMANZUGunners fired up for season
Chando Kupisa is one team full of surprises and entertaining football. They beat African giants Al Ahly at Rufaro two weeks ago when most soccer fans least expected it. For a team with such determination, anything is possible.
They lost the services of experienced coach, Moses Chunga, who led them to their maiden championship title last year. Chungas departure somehow lessened confidence in Gunners playing as competitively as they did last season.
Head coach Darlington Dodo, who was Bambos assistant last year, met a lot of scepticism when he took over, but his victory against the Egyptian giants helped him stamp his worth as a capable mentor.
With a lot of zeal to defend their championship title, a lot is expected from Gunners who boast a reliable striker, Norman Maroto, and an impressive attacking midfielder, Ramson Zhuwawo, who is also the reigning soccer star of the year.
Dynamos are all shook up
DeMbare have always looked favourites at the beginning of the premier soccer league season over the past two years. They began their campaign to defend their championship title on an impressive note in 2008, only to lose the race to Monomotapa right at the finishing line. Despite a false start last year, Dynamos, who recovered impressively with the arrival of Elvis Chiweshe, lost the campaign to Gunners.
The clubs off-the-field politics has always been the teams enemy on the field. With some board members backing the coaches and others plotting their downfall, leading DeMbare has never been an easy job. The pressure the coach gets from the fans, his bosses and some of his players, who dont like being left out of the squad, sets his seat ablaze.
This season, Dynamos need to pull in one direction and let their opponents be their only enemies.
Chiweshe had a good season with the Glamour Boys last year and his experience with them should be an advantage, yet hiring and firing coaches during the course of the season disturbs the rhythm of the teams play.
If DeMbare could take a tip from their rivals, Caps United, who kept their coach when any other club would have sacked an inconsistent mentor, they could prove something this season.
CAPS gets speedy winger
The Green Machine has a strong chance of dominating this years premier soccer league, despite being an inconsistent side last year. They have retained their experienced players, including national team captain Method Mwanjali, defender Gilbert Mapemba, Nyasha Mukumbi, Lionel Mtizwa, goal-getter Nyasha Mushekwi, stylish midfielder Tafadzwa Rusike and confident goalkeeper Edmore Sibanda.
The squad has also been boosted with speedy winger, Pride Tafirenyika, former Eagles captain Courage Denias and Ronald Sengu from Lengthens.
The teams supporters last year called for coach Lloyd Chitembwes dismissal when MaKepeKepe lost to Shooting Stars at Gwanzura stadium. But the club directors, Twine Phiri and Farai Jere, had faith in Chitembwe. He will now lead an experienced side that he has tutored and watched playing together.
If anything is to stand in the teams way this year, it will be its failure to be as strong on the field as they look on paper.
Lengthens strengthens squad
Lengthens boosted their squad with former Douglas Warriors goalkeeper Lovemore Makwavarara, midfielder Tawanda Mparati, Raphael Manwire, Admire Dzvukamanja and former Gunners striker Elton Mudzamisi. But the Happy People will have to do without the services of reliable midfielder, Ronald Sengu, who was signed by CAPSs United.
Coach Mandla Masuku will need to make wise choices from a pool of his average players if he isnt to spend the rest of the season blaming his losses on the players.
He fielded Makwavarara in his last match against Simba FC of Tanzania, in which they lost 0-3, and put the heavy load of blame on the goalkeepers shoulder after giving experienced Muzondiwa Gonese a VIP seat on the bench.
Post published in: Zimbabwe Sports News