Eugene Dhlamini and Jayson Karan
There are mixed feelings on preparations amongst the fans of two Castle Premier Soccer League giants, Dembare and Highlanders ahead of the new season.
There has been wholesome changes at the Sakunda Holdings sponsored sides, the question at hand though is will they race the title from Zvishavane Miners, FC Platinum who have dominated local football for the past four years?
ZIM GBC News went out onto the streets of Bulawayo to interview supporters of the two arch rivals and gathered mixed views.
One Thandazani Masese who claims to be a die hard Mantengwane supporter says he has faith in Bosso’s expatriate coach Baltimar Jose De Oliveira Brito.
Masese also said he hope Brito will opt for Raphael Pitisi to be the one to stand between the sticks ahead of the veteran Ariel Sibanda.
“Ariel Sibanda should train and put more effort as a goal keeper because he is not performing well and and Raphael Pitisi should be given a chance to showcase his talent as a goal keeper, it is unfair to put Ariel Sibanda on spotlight only and his physique shows that he is getting old”, said Masese.
Some Highlanders fans that spoke to our news crew said they believed some of the Bosso’s weaknesses from last season which should be avoided in 2023, could include player’s challenges with understanding the foreign coach’s accent.
Another fan expressed concern about recent reports of cases in discipline that saw some players being transfer listed.
“As fans we need an explanation as to why Devine Mhindirira left the city whilst others are training?, we love Devine because he is dedicated midfielder and we believe that he is in Harare trying to sign a deal with another team. Players should be loyal and honest to the fans and the squad, he has to give us an update whilst it’s still early because one of the motives for Highlanders Football Club is to win the PSL this year”, said Mandevu another Highlanders support who claims to be a die hard fan.
Mandevu further urged Bosso striker Pritchard Mpelele to up his game and show that he is a talented player.
“I cannot say he is fit to play for that squad, Coach Brito should make a plan because he is not performing well”, said Mandevu.
Another section of the fans claimed coach Brito has to do a lot to pluck out Bosso from the unfashionable levels former Coach Mandla Mpofu left them at.
“The likes of Mthabisi Ncube were not given a chance to showcase his talent on the field and Brito is giving everyone chance to play, he is scouting for young players that are fit, talented and dedicated to soccer”, said Methembe Sibanda an elderly Highlanders fan.
Meanwhile Dembare fans said they look forward to the Harare giants Dynamos’ 2023 season after the arrival of new coach Herbert Maruwa.
The former Black Rhinos coach released several players from Last year’s rooster and the likes of Evans Katema and Ghanaian Martin Ofori had their contracts terminated and Godknows Murwira, Ralph Kawondera, Cameroonian striker Albert Eonde, Ghananian striker Sylvester Appiah, Nigerian Alex Orotomol, Patson Jaure and Keith Murera are the players that were shown the door by the new coach.
These players were cleared out along side Luke Musikiri, Claivert Tshuma and Steen Chatikobo who were on loan at Dynamos from the Prince Edward academy.
Dynamos also reunited with their former troubled son Denver Mukamba and the Harare giants have offered the 2012 Soccer Star Of The Year a chance to revive his troubled career by offering him a six months contract which will be renewed if he behaves well.
They have also brought in the nomadic twins Elvis and Kelvin Moyo from Bulawayo Chiefs, the two were given two year contracts.
Zim GBC NEWS spoke to Tar Mjozy a Honda fit tax driver and he believes the abilities and decisions of the new head coach at the Glamour boys.
“We fired the old coach, we expecting good results from this new coach and new signed players, said Tar Mjozy.
Another tax driver called Mandla Ndlovu said he believes the Moyo twins will solidify Dembare’s title aspirations in 2023.
“Moyo twins have played well for the past years and as fans we are confident that they will make it possible for the squad to win the league”, Mandla Ndlovu said.
Highlanders and dynamos are the country’s more successful footballs sides,they however have been playing second fiddle to company owned sides like Ngezi Platinum, FC platinum and Chicken Inn.
The coming in of the Sakunda sponsorship is expected to bring them back at par with the new money bags of the local football scene.