Its that time of the year again when Zimbabwe prepares for yet another Premier Soccer League season.
And all the time, Zimbabwe wonders again: Will there be new talent on the various football fields or the same old players who grow a year younger each year?
Or will there be better competition for reigning champions Dynamos this year, at least that is if Highlanders wake up from their deep slumber. Or maybe, it will again still be Calisto Pasuwa v Rahman Gumbo.
Will Caps United finally rise and claim their first league title since 2005 or, like last season, will they get off to a flying start and bite the dust when the going gets tough?
From the readers point of view, will the reporters covering the games give us fresh superlatives to describe this years performances?
Anyway, its four months since the 2011 league ended, and this weekend, the 16 top flight teams are expected back on the field.
Current Champions Dynamos could face a challenge for their title from a multitude of competitors beyond the traditional big names.
FC Platinum who lost the race on the final day of the league last season will no doubt be the main threat to Dynamos title defence.
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As usual, the Zvishavane-based side has been busy in the transfer window bringing in young and quality players.
Unlike in the preceding season when they went about splashing cash everywhere and collecting all the so-called big names they came across, this time around they have gone for pure class.
Their strength in depth is impressive. Ali Sadiki, Qadr Amini, Allen Gahadzikwa and Welcome Ndiweni are some of the new players at FC Platinum who could provide that spark and balance that badly lacked in last years squad.
The Rahman Gumbo-coached side, who travel to Black Mambas for their league opener, will no doubt start the season as favourites.
Dynamos have retained the bulk of their stars from a successful campaign last season which saw the Harare giants winning a League and Cup double.
Goalkeeper Washington Arubi, voted the leagues best player last season, has extended his stay by another year while the leagues top goalscorer Rodreck Mutuma has also remained loyal to the club.
The team might have lost Cuthbert Malajila and Archford Gutu who joined South Africa and Swedish teams respectively, but in Tichaona Mabvura and Takesure Chinyama, they have found the perfect replacements.
Chinyamas heroics in Maputo, where he scored a brace for his teams Caf Champions League 2-2 draw against Liga Muulmana last Saturday could be just a tip of what the former Poland based striker is capable of.
Dynamos will open their title defence with a home clash against premiership new boys Hardbody. Caps United and Highlanders will be hoping for better fortunes this time around.
The two faltering giants, who finished in unfamiliar position on the log last season, have sought the services of foreign coaches as they to reclaim their big teams status.
Caps have roped in Irish Sean Connor as the new manager while Highlanders have brought in Zambian Kelvin Kaindu.
Bosso welcome rebranded Blue Rangers, formerly Blue Ribbon at Barbourfields Stadium while Caps United travels to Maglas Stadium for a date with Shabanie.
The usual suspects of Hwange, Gunners and Motor Action are expected to keep some check on the top sides.
PSL weekend fixtures: Buffaloes v Monomotapa, Highlanders v Blue Rangers, Black Mambas v FC Platinum, Dynamos v Hardbody, Motor Action v Harare City, Shabanie Mine v Caps United, Chicken Inn v Gunners, Hwange v Quelaton
