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MOSES CHUNGA

Eddie Chikamhi Sports Reporter
DYNAMOS sons Moses Chunga and David Mandigora will come face-to-face when the Harare giants begin the defence of their Castle Lager Premiership title against Buffaloes next month.

The PSL fixtures were released yesterday ahead of the new season which has been tentatively set to get underway on March 7.

The actual dates will be confirmed at the league’s annual general meeting this weekend.

Last year’s runners-up ZPC Kariba will have a tricky start to their campaign against Highlanders at home while CAPS United face newboys Whawha away from home.

Harare City will host Tsholotsho Pirates while Luke Masomere’s star-studded How Mine host Chapungu in their opening match.

The eagerly awaited Harare Derby will take place early in the season when Dynamos and CAPS United clash in Week Four.

Three weeks later Makepekepe will face Highlanders in Week Seven.

Another blockbuster, the Battle of Zimbabwe between Dynamos and Highlanders, will take place later in the season as it has been pencilled in for Week 14.

Dynamos are on a rebuilding exercise after losing several key players while Buffaloes are struggling under a load of financial constraints which has impacted heavily on their pre-season preparations.

Chunga was yesterday not in the mood to discuss his side’s opening encounter.

Watungwa Watungwa shocked Dynamos in their first meeting last season when they edged the Harare giants 1-0 in Week Six courtesy of Roy Mwenga’s goal at the National Sports Stadium.

DeMbare managed to make up for that loss with a victory in the reverse leg at Sakubva thanks to Washington Pakamisa as they raised their game towards the finishing line.

“I am not in a position to say anything now but I think in future the PSL should try to get the fixtures out with more time for clubs to plan,” said Chunga.

“If they withhold such information it’s the clubs that suffer.

“At the coaching courses that we have been attending we were encouraged to plan for matches ahead but now it becomes difficult when you don’t have information.

“Now that the fixtures are out we have the direction but clubs should not be kept in suspense until the eleventh hour.”

Newboys Whawha are looking for a positive start against CAPS United.

Whawha technical director Lloyd Mutasa said they were working hard to match the Premiership standards.

“Obviously, as a new team coming to join the big boys, we don’t expect everything to be that easy. It will be tough but that is the reason we got into the league, to compete.

“How we fare in our opening games is crucial.

“If we start well it will give confidence to the boys.

“But either way it’s all about the mindset, whether we win against CAPS United or we lose.

How we take that result is important,” said Mutasa.