THE 2025 Castle Lager Premier Soccer League season got underway at the weekend where the so-called giants faltered. Although it might be too early to call, it appears the former giants of local football will struggle again this term.
The first-game form can often be quite deceiving, but the opening weekend performance of Dynamos, Highlanders and Caps United was not encouraging.
The trio, which was forced to rebuild their squads after their stars were lured away by their more monied rivals, failed to record wins at the weekend.
They have gone for a combined 39 years without a league title and it promises to be another barren season for them.
Dynamos were hoping to build on last week's Castle Challenge Cup triumph but were held to a drab goalless draw by a visiting ZPC Kariba at Rufaro Stadium on Sunday.
Coach Lloyd Chigowe threw in almost the same squad that beat defending league champions Simba Bhora on penalties, hoping that they would reproduce their last week's performance, but the Harare giants came unstuck against a well-drilled ZPC Kariba team which was well marshalled by their ageless skipper Boid Mutukure.
Caps United, also fielding a new-look squad including former Warriors stars Kundai Benyu and Tanaka Shandirwa had to come from behind to pick a point away at GreenFuel in Chisumbanje on Saturday.
Perfect Chikwende gave the hosts a halftime lead before Jayden Bakari equalised for Caps United midway through the second half for a share of the spoils.
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Highlanders were stunned by league newcomers Mwos at Baobab Stadium on Sunday.
A mistake by goalkeeper Raphael Pitisi was ruthlessly punished by Salif Cheya who rolled the ball into an empty net.
Bosso were dominated by the debutants in both halves, with the Bulawayo giants failing to create any meaningful chances in Mhondoro.
Their coach Kelvin Kaindu blamed the disjointed show from his lads on poor preseason preparations.
“Not a good start, it was a difficult game," Kaindu said.
“We didn’t have flashy moments, it’s unfortunate we gave away an easy goal and in a game like this, it’s difficult for you to come back.
“During pre-season, we didn’t have training grounds. I think we went for nearly a month without a proper training ground, so we are trying to use these early games to condition ourselves and catch up.”
It was an opening weekend dominated by draws as no team managed to draw an early marker.
A paltry 10 goals were scored during the weekend, with only four teams, two of which are league debutants, getting wins.
Only Herentals managed to score more than one goal, in their 2-1 win over TelOne at Rufaro Stadium on Saturday while Fortune Binzi scored the only goal as Manica Diamonds got their season underway with a win over Yadah at Sakubva Stadium.
The only other game that produced more than one goal was in the 1-1 draw between Ngezi Platinum who were held by promoted side Kwekwe United at Bata Stadium.
The former league champions scored the opener through their new signing Ashwin Karengesha, which was cancelled by Masimba Mambare who scored Kwekwe’s first goal in the Castle Lager Premier Soccer.
Defending league champions Simba Bhora had themselves to blame for failing to utilise the numerous chances they created in a goalless draw against FC Platinum at Wadzanai Stadium on Saturday.
The home side were hoping to begin their title defence with a win in front of their home supporters, and they created a glut of chances but somehow failed to make any count. New signing William Manondo, who was snapped from Caps United, missed the biggest of the chances when he sliced his header wide with the goal gaping in the second half.
Bikita Minerals picked their first point in Bulawayo since their promotion last season when they forced a goalless draw against Chicken Inn on Saturday.
For all the preseason glamour and glitter, flamboyant side Scottland needed a stoppage-time own goal from Blessing Chiota to claim their first win in their debut league campaign.
Scottland were virtually outplayed by a determined and well-drilled Triangle side, who have just returned to the topflight league.
A very good crowd of close to 10 000 fans turned up to watch the season opener, expecting to witness the battle of newcomers.
The Tonderai Ndiraya-coached side failed to test the visiting goalkeeper Hamilton Makaingamwa the entire match, but in the end, managed to bag all three points.
Ndiraya was delighted with the historic win but pleaded for time for the team to gel.
Matchday 2 fixtures
Friday: Yadah v Chicken Inn (Heart)
Saturday: TelOne v Triangle United (Ascot), Ngezi Platinum Stars v GreenFuel (Baobab), Bikita Minerals v Mwos (Sakubva), FC Platinum v Manica Diamonds (Mandava), Zpc Kariba v Simba Bhora (Nyamhunga), Herentals College v Dynamos (Rufaro).
Sunday: Caps United v Scottland (Rufaro), Highlanders v Kwekwe United (Barbourfields)
