AFTER two weeks of action in the Castle Lager Premier Soccer League season, leaders and defending champions Dynamos and Chapungu have emerged as the best and worst teams respectively in a weekend where strikers were missing in action. BY WELLINGTON TONI
From last week’s 23 goals, only 16 were scored this weekend. Or are the defenders and goalkeepers getting better?
Dynamos lead the standings with six points from two matches after beating Buffaloes 3-0 and Chapungu 1-0, to maintain their 100% perfect start to the season and leaving them as the only team yet to concede a goal this term, while scoring four times.
On the other hand, Chapungu, who drew 0-0 against How Mine in their opening fixture before the loss to Dynamos, are the only team yet to score this season.
All the four newly-promoted teams have scored with Tsholotsho the best after managing a 1-0 win over Harare City in the opening fixture two weeks back.
Flame Lily started off with a 2-1 loss to Chicken Inn before drawing against fellow Zimbabwe Prisons and Correctional Services side Whahwa 1-1 on Saturday. Whawha lost their opening match 2-1 to Caps United at Ascot last week.
Dongo Sawmills held FC Platinum to a 2-2 draw away last week before succumbing 2-1 to How Mine at Vhengere Stadium on Sunday. Among the new teams, they have scored the highest number of goals at three. Caps United, also with a 100% record, are second on the log with six points-the same as Dynamos, but with an inferior goal difference, just a week before they meet their Harare arch-rivals in a city derby.
Triangle, ZPC Kariba and How Mine maintained their unbeaten runs and each have four points to perch at number three, four and five respectively.
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Triangle drew 1-1 with Buffaloes, ZPC held Hwange to a thrilling 3-3 draw at the Colliery on Sunday, while How Mine picked up maximum point.
for the first time this season, thanks to a Benjamin Marere late winner against Dongo.
Dongo, Platinum, Whahwa, Flame Lily, Chapungu, Hwange and Buffaloes are winless, while Highlanders, Harare City, How Mine, Triangle, Tsholotsho, ZPC and Chicken Inn have won a game each.
Teams will up the stakes during the Easter weekend with Dynamos having an easy outing against Dongo at Rufaro on Friday where maximum points are due for collection.
Second-placed Caps face a tough four days — on Thursday they travel to Bulawayo to face How Mine at Luveve and meet Dynamos in the Harare Derby three days later.
These are matches that should give them an indication of how far they can go this season.
Harare City leave the capital for the first time, headed to Ascot for a date with Whahwa, while Tsholotsho remains in the City of Kings to play Chicken Inn.
ZPC Kariba are back at their adopted homeground of Gwanzura to face Buffaloes.
Triangle are at home against Chapungu, while the big clash between Highlanders and Hwange at Barbourfields will round up Good Friday. On Sunday, Flame Lily play How Mine at Gwanzura.
On Easter Monday, the capital comes to a standstill as Caps United host Dynamos at the National Sports Stadium, while Highlanders are in the Eastern Highlands against Buffaloes.
Tsholotsho will use White City Stadium for the first time this season as they host Hwange, while ZPC travel to Ascot for a date with Chapungu.
FC Platinum, after playing Young Africans in the second round, first leg of the Caf Confederation Cup, will play their rescheduled fixture against Flame Lily at Mandava on Wednesday.
Match Day Three Thursday: How Mine v Caps United (Luveve, SS) Good Friday: Whawha v Harare City Ascot), Chicken Inn v Tsholotsho (Luveve), ZPC Kariba v Buffaloes (Gwanzura), Highlanders v Hwange (Barbourfields, SS), Dynamos v Dongo Sawmill (NSS), Triangle United v Chapungu (Gibbo)
Match Day Four Easter Sunday: Harare City v FC Platinum (Rufaro) postponed, Flame Lily v How Mine (Gwanzura, SS9) Easter Monday: Dongo Sawmill v Triangle United (Vengere), Chicken Inn v Whawha (Luveve), Caps United v Dynamos (NSS, SS9), Tsholotsho v Hwange (White City), Chapungu v ZPC Kariba (Ascot), Buffaloes v Highlanders (Vhengere/Sakubva) Wednesday: FC Platinum v Flame Lily (Mandava)
