The ManicaPost
WITH the off-season period already underway until the eve of the start of a new campaign, a period hugely characterised by frenetic bazaar activity as clubs dip into the market for transfer targets, all eyes are yet again on the teams to see how they do business in preparation for the 2019 Castle Lager Premier Soccer League season.
Naturally, having done a postmortem of the previous season clubs then begin to run the rule over their squads in order to fine-tune and improve them as they look forward to the forthcoming campaign with a view of kicking it off on sound footing. To do their correction, clubs mostly sign up new players as they add strings to their bow as well as retain old ones.
Teams with the financial wherewithal and pulling power get to attract the sought-after athletes and outmuscle rivals while others just feed on the crumbs and settle for what their leaner budgets can afford. This business is done mainly to bolster squads so as to enhance strength in depth and capacitate them to challenge for honours. This is when, if the things go according to plan as the campaign pans out, clubs capture their find-of-the-season. With players seeking greener pastures as they switch bases, clubs also gun for value-adding material to their arsenal in moves — most of which come on Bosman deals owing to the market forces — that defy even the great divide between sworn rivals.
On the domestic front most clubs are already getting down to some serious business. As hugely expected the so-called big three — Dynamos, Highlanders and CAPS United – stung by the underwhelming campaign they endured last term, have led the way in player acquisitions in efforts aimed at restoring their supremacy. Other such notable clubs as FC Platinum, Ngezi Platinum Stars, Chicken Inn, Harare City and Triangle are also ransacking the market.
Manica Diamonds have also joined the fray and have bitten a chunk of the lion’s share on the player market, assembling a mini-machine of their own with prominent names that blend both youth and experience. This has seen them snapping up some exciting talent, with the likes of Partson Jaure, Wisdom Mutasa, Peace Makaha, Marshall Mudehwe and Ashley Reyners on their books now.
Whether it is DeMbare seeking to regain their glamour, Bosso out to boss again, the Green Machine’s quest to exert their juggernaut on the game or Manica Diamonds shining the brightest, the off-season is the opportune time to do smart business that teams hope will pay dividends over the course of the campaign and it provides a test of its own for the clubs.
If it is about football that you care let’s share the cheer because we are made for the game, mad about the game!
For interaction send your views, comments and contributions through feedback on WhatsApp or sms to +263 736 036 593 or e-mail:[email protected]
