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Bothwell Mahlengwe
THE second half of the season has begun and with it has come the mind games, from subtle warnings to title rival to humble denial of title ambitions, at least for this season, to bold declarations of championship interests. Everyone dreams of being the best, it’s inherent in all animals, especially human beings. I can say with a high degree of certainty that at least half of the clubs have the championship as their main target this season.

What is certain is that we will have a new champion come the end of the season for it will need a miracle for CAPS United to retain their title.

For me, they are already out of the race with the combined load of the Champions League and domestic league having taken a huge toll on them.

Right now, there are no clear favourites.

The strength and beauty of money has brought us welcome championship-race competition from well-funded clubs — FC Platinum, Ngezi Platinum, Chicken Inn and How Mine.

Then there are the old boys Dynamos and Highlanders.

I believe Highlanders and How Mine won’t make it, their house has cracks and the coach’s announcement that he will leave will not help matters.

How Mine are just too inexperienced even though in Kevin Kaindu they have a good and experienced coach and that he has choked many times won’t help them.

For me, the money boys have the edge.

FC Platinum and Norman Mapeza are desperate for the title and they have a very good squad who have been together for a reasonable time now and a coach who has won the title before.

But desperation and history could derail them.

Maybe Takesure Chinyama, Mkokheli Dube and Ali Sadiki will provide the extra bite or they will bring the curse of tired legs.

Ngezi Platinum have been the toast of the season so far and, after all, they are the bigger of the two mining clubs. They have a young, organised and ambitious coach in Tonderai Ndiraya, one who has a point to prove after his unceremonious dismissal by Dynamos.

Lack of experience could destroy their challenge.

Chicken Inn knows how it feels to be champions and they have players who have been there and done that and a coach Rahman Gumbo, who knows how to win such a title.

The pair of veterans Clement Matawu and Obadiah Tarumbwa provide the necessary leadership on the field.

Then there is Dynamos and, amid the chaos you can never rule them out and I won’t do that.

Forget their chairman Kenny Mubaiwa’s humble talk about rebuilding — Dynamos knows no rebuilding.

It’s the biggest team in Zimbabwe and their fans demand the best every season.

Winning the league title is no bonus for them, it is what is needed.

All Dynamos need to do is keep their best players healthy, fit and motivated and Mubaiwa has to find the money.

They have the players, thanks to the good work by coach Lloyd Mutasa, a back four that looks solid with Divine Academy product Peace Makaha playing the best football of his life on the right side.

The midfield has been inconsistent, but can come in handy on its day.

They also have Epoupa Ntoupa, Emmanuel Mandiranga, Tawanda Macheke and Quality Kangadze in a good mix of youth and experience and, of course, they have a good leader in Ocean Mushure.

But the real cog in the Dynamos arsenal is Denver Mukamba.

Dynamos have to find a way to keep him fit, focussed, disciplined and above all, sober and sane.

The boy can deliver the championship to the club if managed well.

This is set to be a bombshell of a second half of the season and the fans could be in for a treat.

That can only help make the whole country, of course, very happy.

Bothwell Mahlengwe is a banker and former Premiership footballer and can be contacted, for feedback, on the email — [email protected]