By Grace Chingoma
Its back to the championship race when the PSL clubs switch their focus from the Mbada Diamonds Cup to the league marathon this coming weekend. CAPS United’s resurgence will get another severe test when they visit revitalised FC Platinum at Mandava.
The next two league matches will be crucial for CAPS United as they will return to the capital for a mid-week date with a stubborn Blue Rangers. Clubs have to brace for more mid-week clashes as the season comes to the end with eight free weekends left for the league and Cup games.
Already the weekend of October 13 to 14 is reserved for the Warriors return match in Angola in the African Cup of Nations qualifiers while the following weekend of October 20 to 21 has been set aside for the Mbada Diamonds Cup quarter finals.
The weekend of November 10-11 has been reserved for the Mbada Diamonds Cup semi-finals while the final will close the 2012 Premiership season on November 24. And the fixtures are likely to be disrupted further when the BancABC Sup8r Cup is unveiled.
Yesterday, PSL chief executive, Kennedy Ndebele said while clubs appear to be a bit hesitant to play mid-week clashes, the arrival of SuperSport means they have to embrace change. “Now that we are on television we must be ready to play some matches on Mondays and even Fridays.
“If you look at the world over, basically, they play two games over a week in line with the Fifa recommendations of a minimum of 40 matches per season. And even if you look at the South African Premiership that is the trend especially when you have more competitions.
“Clubs don’t favour that but circumstances are forcing us. And maybe in the future we may activate the evening games,“ said Ndebele. “Officially, I haven’t received anything concerning the Sup8r and if by any chance it is there then I will have to sit down and work on the fixtures,” said Ndebele. The Herald
Fixtures
Saturday: Black Mambas v Chicken Inn (Morris Depot), Monomotapa v Hwange (Rufaro), FC Platinum v Caps United FC (Mandava).
Sunday: Hardbody v Gunners (Ascot), Highlanders v Shabanie Mine (Barbourfields), Dynamos v Motor Action (Rufaro), Blue Rangers v Quelaton (Gwanzura), Buffaloes v Harare City (Sakubva).
Week 23 Mid-week
Wednesday 26 September 2012: Shabanie Mine v Black Mambas (Maglas), Chicken Inn v Dynamos (Barbourfields), Hwange v Highlanders (Colliery), CAPS United v Blue Rangers (National Sports Stadium), Gunners v FC Platinum (Lafarge), Quelaton v Monomotapa (Luveve), Motor Action v Buffaloes (Motor Action Sports Club).
Thursday 27 September 2012: Harare City v Hardbody (Rufaro).
