THIS is the month of football that might ironically expose the gulf that separates talent from pretenders as the Castle Lager Premier Soccer League (PSL) enters its 11th round amid the euphoria of the Brazil Fifa World Cup extravaganza.
HENRY MHARA
Football, a disappointing sport in Zimbabwe, has been this season criticised for its unscientific approach with many fans voicing negative sentiments for what they call the “kick and rush football”.
The clinical football of teams in Brazil, exciting and pulsating, will further illustrate how far our football has taken a south-bound direction.
Dynamos coach Calisto Pasuwa recently admitted that the playing standards in the local league have not been where he wants it to be.
ZPC Kariba coach Saul Chaminuka has also added his voice, describing football in the local league as atrocious. Chaminuka’s ZPC Kariba are at “home” to Chapungu at Gwanzura Stadium this afternoon, seeking to protect their unbeaten run.
He said the recent failure by the Warriors to qualify for both the World Cup and the 2015 Africa Cup of Nations is a precursor of a death of football in the country.
Chaminuka has put the blame on the echelons of powers, accusing both the Sports ministry and Zifa of neglecting junior football. And the effects, as was shown by the Warriors’ recent breakdown, a catastrophe.
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The local clubs’ appalling performances has also reflected on low crowd attendances, and the situation threatens to further worsen now that the World Cup is here.
The only respite for clubs in that regard is that the World Cup matches are happening at convenient times for the supporters who can chose to go and watch a local match, grudgingly though, then quickly dash off to their favourite spots and catch up with the events in Sao Paolo.
Pasuwa will tomorrow lead his team to Hwange, needing not just an improvement from his boy’s recent showings, but also to avenge last season’s defeat that almost put paid to the Harare giants’ league campaign.
Dynamos were humiliated 4-2 in the searing heat of the Colliery despite being granted a spar treatment of travelling to the match by air.
The match is one of the big clashes lined up for the weekend with the Highlanders versus Triangle in Triangle another duel whose result will certainly help shape the title race as well as the relegation battle.
A win for Bosso will see them retain the top spot on the log standings from How Mine who assumed the spot on Thursday, but any other result could see either Dynamos or Hwange taking charge.
Dynamos hardman Stephen Alimenda returned to the squad after serving a one-match suspension, but the crew of Masimba Mambare, Tawanda Muparati, Clive Kawinga and Anesu Gondo remains sidelined.
For Hwange, this match could be his last in the coalminers colours for Erick Chipeta who is expected to leave for South African Premiership side Chippa United next week.
The Warriors defender wants to exit in style, and has promised to score a goal in the match as a tribute to the club he joined three seasons ago.
Highlanders, who were held by FC Platinum last week, have all to do when they travel to relegation- threatened Triangle.
They travelled without the injured Peter Rio Moyo who looks like he will not play any part in the team’s cause this season as he is also set to join the Great Trek to South Africa with Mpumalanga Black Aces his destination.
Striker Milton Ncube could also be playing his last match for Highlanders as he is also expected to leave next week for Ajax Cape Town.
Caps United will look to put behind last week’s troubles in their camp with a win over Shabanie Mine at the National Sports Stadium tomorrow.
