As the 2010 premier soccer league beckons, GRACE CHIRUMANZU takes a look at the 16 teams strength on paper and on the field. The Zimbabwean puts a magnifying glass on the previous seasons champions and other hopefuls. Other teams will be featured next week.Highlanders: For a team that last won the league championship title in 2006, Highlanders need a lot more than just a foreign coach to breathe life into their game and refocus for a victorious season, this year.
Without the services of Stephen Alimenda, defender Zephania Ngodzo who joined rivals Dynamos and goalkeeper Washington Arubi they lost to Bantu Rovers last season to later join Dynamos for the 2010 season; Bosso will appear handicapped in their defence as they will in their attack without reliable Nqobile Mpala.
They have acquired the services of experienced former captain Bhekithemba Ndlovu who joined them from Bantu Rovers, former Caps United left back Gladmore Tembo. The Bulawayo giants also signed Menard Mupera who featured for the relegated army-side, Black Rhinos, last season. Former Motor Action player Simbarashe Gate will also play in Bossos traditional black and white colours alongside returning goalkeeper Ndodani Sibanda who plied his trade in South Africa.
Bantu Rovers: Bantu Rovers failed to perform to the best of the soccer followers expectations having made the impression that the countrys second largest city, Bulawayo, will be set for a thrilling derby when they faced Highlanders.
Bantu Rovers who will be making their second appearance in the top flight league after the former Highlanders head coach, Methembe Ndlovu, bought the franchise of Mutare-based Eastern Lions. The Bulawayo side will need to make a good start to the season to avoid fighting relegation that they narrowly escaped, last season.
This season Tshintsha Guluva will need to do without goalkeeper Arubi, former captain Ndlovu and the pair of Ndlovu Fortune Ncube and Ocean Mpofu who moved to Hwange. Their reliance will be on the best their new signings Kudakwashe Mahachi who was previously with the Highlanders juniors and Lendy Guest from Botswana will have to offer.
Johannes Ngodzo is also expected to be featuring for Bantu Rovers when the league kicks off this month.
Monomotapa: The departure of four talented players, midfielders Chris Samakwere, Daniel Zokoto, Mthulisi Maphosa and striker Darryl Nyandoro to DRCs TP Mazembe will be a heavy blow to the 2008 league Champions, Monomotapa.
Samakweri made the team a marvel to watch even in losing moments, Zokotos skill and drive from the midfield to attack gave the side a rhythm that gave the opponents a torrid time, Maphosas hard work and fighting spirit as a captain inspired the team and Nyandoro proved a reliable striker who scored when hopes where beginning to fade.
But Monoz who will march onto the pitch without the leadership of neither Rodwell Dhlakama -who escorted them into an impressive African Safari- nor Norman Mapeza -who led them to their maiden league championship title in 2007- will have to put their trust in former Kiglon mentor, Maxwell Jongwe and their new signings.
The former champions acquired the services of Osborn Muguradare, Blessing Chimwa and Tawanda Nyamandwe (Kiglon). They have also brought in Tendai Ngulube from relegated Njube Sundowns and Kudakwashe Musharu from Underhill.
Kiglon: A dark cloud of uncertainty holds saturated over the club, with the club yet to find a buyer. Kiglon was put up on sale by the club owners in February. It became the third club to face financial challenges that has pushed its owners to the extent of surrendering ownership in the past two years.
Mutare-based side Eastern Lions was sold to a group of Bulawayo businessmen last year. Methembe Ndlovu being chief among them led the team under the name Bantu Rovers.
Another premiership side, Buymore FC, was renamed into Caps FC after CAPS Holdings acquired the team.
Post published in: Football