The ManicaPost
ESTEEMED followers of the game of football, thank you for finding time for interaction.
The seemingly long wait for enthusiastic friends of the local game is finally over as the 2017 Castle Lager Premiership season kicks off tomorrow. It is a marathon of 34 matches expected to be run over the next seven months and probably finish in November as 18 teams battle for supremacy in stadia across the country.
At this point, legit pundits and armchair critics alike are rubbing their hands in glee as they begin jogging their whetted interest and keenly follow the top-flight action with relish.
And oft-bandied wisdom, usually at this juncture when none has kicked the ball yet, is that all the teams stand equal chance of clinching the coveted championship.
But the game has always proved itself beyond any shadow of doubt that while some teams will sustain their march to the Holy Grail, others simply fall by the wayside.
At the end of the season a champion has to be crowned and, sadly, too, tail-enders will be relegated. Taking the wooden spoon comes with demotion back to the unfashionable world of Division One football. Those that hold their own will get to fight another day in the first-tier league.
As is usual, the season will undoubtedly be punctuated by drama, suspense, joy, agony and everything that comes and goes with the game at this level of competition.
While Sakubva will not be hosting any Premiership games or have any of our Mutare-made teams in action in the elite league, most of us will nonetheless religiously follow the action across the country as we root for our favourite teams.
It goes without saying that some sides, usually dubbed the “usual suspects”, will start as favourites for the league title; while others shall have the relegation tag dangling around their necks.
That said, who is your money on, Dear Reader, to take the crown?
Where does your heart and mouth lie?
Who are you tipping for demotion?
Friday Football Echoes would love to hear from you, Dear Reader, how you think the 2017 Castle Lager Premier Soccer League championship campaign will pan out.
In the meantime, let’s buckle up and enjoy what promises to be a rollercoaster ride on the local Premiership terrain.
Let the games begin!
Cheers, Delta Beverages!
As a worthwhile partner, Delta Beverages have extended their association with the local game for the next three years after pouring in over half-a-million dollars for the subsistence of their involvement.
The giant beverages manufacturing concern’s commitment to continue supporting and sponsoring football has been welcomed and hailed as a game-changer by sincere followers of football.
Already pregnant with the Premiership and the Chibuku Super Cup, the sponsors have added another baby to the blissful family in the form of the Castle Lager Challenge Cup to celebrate the league’s silver jubilee. The launch of this newest competition, to pit the championship and Chibuku Super Cup winners at the end of the season, carries $50 000 prize money.
This is set to add more flavour to the league’s already familiar taste and get the season even more exciting.
As a sweetener during the season, the country’s richest knockout tournament – the Chubuku Super Cup, to be contested for by the 18 top-flight teams – will also spice up the championship race.
$700 000 has been poured into this season’s league campaign, while the Chibuku Super Cup is $400 000 richer.
Now, every team, player, coach and the match officials will continue to have something to play for as those who stand out in that regard shall be rewarded for their sterling efforts come end of the season.To celebrate that shot in the arm, the biggest financial package to be extended to any sport by a business entity in the history of our country, Yours Truly will take to his favourite brew from Delta’s line of beverages – Chibuku Super, yes that opaque beer – and toast to the good of our game
To Delta Beverages, thank you lots to for being a friend that continues to stand by this beautiful game.
The onus is now on the league administration to protect the corporate image of their sponsors by ensuring that the game is run professionally without bringing it into disrepute.
Match Day 1 fixtures:
Highlanders vs Bulawayo City; Shabanie vs CAPS United; Harare City vs Yadah; ZPC Kariba vs How Mine; Tsholotsho vs Hwange; Ngezi Platinum vs Black Rhinos; Chapungu vs Triangle; Dynamos vs FC Platinum; Bantu Rovers vs Chicken Inn.
It’s Game On, Play On!
Feedback:
Gamechanger, I enjoy reading your column Friday Football Echoes. Tell us more about high profile players that Makepekepe are likely to meet in the group stages [of the CAF Champions League]. Update us on the Warriors as well. – Cephas Zuze
From now on the Castle Lager PSL teams should not strain the players, travelling long distances by bus as if they are cross-border traders. These football clubs should not make it a tradition that by being a big or small team means more or less spectators, respectively, coming to watch their games. Our football clubs should have a functional marketing department to make sure every game is played in a full stadium. – Richard Mahuhushe Chauke.
Poor start for [Warriors coach Norman] Mapeza [in the friendly match against Zambia]. At home they forgot their shooting boots. However, they played to the gallery. – CTM.
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