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Eddie Chikamhi

Senior Sports Reporter

AFTER almost two years of inactivity, the Premier Soccer League championship race is expected to explode back into life again, with the kickoff of the 2021-2022 marathon, set for next Saturday.

The Premier Soccer League yesterday announced the fixtures to allow the teams to prepare following the successful hosting of the Chibuku Super Cup.

The programme is expected to suffer a two-month disruption, to accommodate the festive holidays and the upcoming AFCON tournament in Cameroon, between January and February.

Zimbabwe are one of the 24 teams that have qualified for the finals.  

“The 2021/22 Castle Lager Premier Soccer League is set to commence on Saturday 6 November 2021,’’ PSL spokesperson, Kudzi Bare, said. 

“The league will break in December for the holidays and resume in February 2022 after the Africa Cup of Nations matches.

“The PSL urges clubs and all stakeholders to strictly adhere to Covid-19 protocols to ensure that our stadia remain safe during this pandemic.’’

There is no early drama expected, in the first week of the seaxson, according to the fixtures released yesterday. 

The traditional giants of the league are set to avoid each other until later in the season.

But, some interesting duels are expected when defending champions FC Platinum clash with 2015 champions, Chicken Inn, in the second week. 

Highlanders will host Ngezi Platinum, during the same week, while CAPS United and Harare City, have an interesting date.

Dynamos will open the campaign against Yadah.  CAPS United and ZPC Kariba will take it up from where they left off in the Chibuku Super Cup in Week One

The authorities, however, should brace for many challenges, especially when it comes to the venues. 

The PSL traditionally runs from March to November.

The upcoming season is likely to coincide with the start of the rain season. 

The domestic venues have poor drainage and this could pose a big challenge when the rains start pouring down.

The league are also likely to face a severe shortage of match venues. 

The league have been using, at most five venues for the Chibuku Super Cup, which was played in clusters, this year.

The National Sports Stadium, Barbourfields, Sakubva, Mandava and Baobab have hosted the games. 

But more stadiums will be needed for the league, as teams will definitely want to enjoy home advantage, when they host their opponents.

The Harare teams are likely to share the National Sports Stadium, since Rufaro and Gwanzura, are still in poor condition.

The ZIFA Grounds Inspection Committee, which recently inspected the local stadiums ahead of the start of the season, have painted a gloomy picture.

Some of the stadiums that have been under the spotlight includ Rufaro, Vengere, Sakubva, Baobab, Mandava, Barbourfields, Gibbo, Ascot, Luveve, White City and Barbourfields.

Most of the grounds are owned by the local authorities. 

“We have since started the inspection of the local stadiums in preparation for the new season and the undeniable truth is that we are facing a national crisis,’’ said ZIFA spokesperson, Xolisani Gwesela.

“All our stadiums are in bad shape and in dire need of renovation. 

“It is a big worry when none of our stadiums meet the minimum requirements by CAF. 

“We need to come up with a blueprint on how we should move forward, our grounds need to be modernised. 

“Most of them were built in the 1970s and 1980s and they no longer meet the modern standards. “So, there is need for an urgent indaba between the national associations, government and the local authorities, who run most of these facilities.’’

Gwesela is also a member of the grounds committee.