IT’S cup time this weekend as the Castle Lager Premier Soccer League (PSL) prepares to launch a new top-eight tournament as clubs take a break from the exhilarating 15 rounds of matches from the first half of the season. TAWANDA TAFIRENYIKA
The competition is set to be launched today after the top-flight league sealed a deal with a new sponsor, believed to be a mobile telecommunication company, which is replacing BancABC, who ran the last mile last year in the competition won by Shabanie Mine.
Teams which finished in the top-eight last season will take part in the tournament. Harare giants Dynamos, Highlanders, Harare City, FC Platinum, Caps United, Chicken Inn, How Mine and Triangle finished in the top eight last year and unfortunately, Shabanie Mine won’t be around to defend their title.
According to the PSL, the top four teams from last season — Dynamos, Highlanders, Harare City and FC Platinum — will be seeded during the draw. They will be paired with Caps United, Chicken Inn, How Mine and Triangle.
PSL chief executive Kenny Ndebele said they were looking at playing a double header on Friday and added that the venues of the tournament will be confirmed at the launch while the dates of the semi-finals and the final of the tournament will be advised in due course.
In a statement yesterday, the league said: “The Castle Lager Premier Soccer League would like to advise its valued partners and stakeholders that the launch of the top-eight knockout cup which was previously scheduled for Tuesday 15th July 2014 in Harare has been moved to Wednesday 16th July at 1400hrs.
“This is due to circumstances beyond our control and the Castle Lager Premier Soccer League remains fully committed to partnering sponsors in achieving maximum publicity and exposure for their benefit and the football clubs.”
In-form Bulawayo giants Highlanders are enjoying a cool breeze at the summit of the log with 30 points from 15 matches.
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They have suffered just one defeat and are also coming from a morale-boosting 4-2 defeat of Bantu Rovers in which star forward Charles Sibanda scored a memorable hat-trick.
Sibanda said the hat-trick — his first since joining from FC Platinum has given him confidence ahead of the upcoming games.
Despite being in third place with 27 points, Dynamos have not been convincing in the first half of the season in which they have been blowing hot and cold. They have won eight matches, drawn three and lost four while city rivals Caps United appear to have hit top form at the right moment.
The Green Machine are in fourth place, but have the same number of points as Dynamos and although they have also won eight, drawn three and lost four, they have won their last four matches before drawing 1-1 against Dynamos on Sunday.
FC Platinum are in seventh place with 22 points having won five, drawn seven and lost three and will have to roll up their sleeves if they entertain hopes of laying hands on the trophy as Lloyd Mutasa has failed to lift the club.
How Mine are in eighth place with the same number of points as FC Platinum, but have won six matches in the first half of the season, drawn five and lost five an indication they won’t be there to make up the numbers.
Chicken Inn might have lost their last two matches and are in ninth place with only 20 points, but this is a team that can beat anyone.
Biggie Zuze’s Triangle are in eleventh position with only 17 points to show in the first half of the season, but they have improved significantly having won four, drawn five and lost six while strugglers Harare City are battling the dark forces of relegation in 13th place with 15 points.
Bigboy Mawiwi’s men are, however, no pushovers despite being at the lower end of the league table. Initially, the first round of the top eight tournament had been pencilled in for 26 -27 April with the semi-finals having been scheduled for June 14-15 while the finals had been set for June 28.
But now the topflight league management will now have to rearrange their fixtures as the first round of the Chibuku Super Cup had also been scheduled for July 26-27 with the second round set for August 16-17. DRAW Friday July 18 2014 Harare City FC v Team 4 (Mandava Stadium) 1300hrs FC Platinum v Team 3 (Mandava Stadium) 1500hrs Saturday July 19 2014 Highlanders v Team 2 (Ascot Stadium) 1300hrs Sunday July 20 2014 Dynamos FC v Team 1 (National Sports Stadium) 1300hrs
