Fungai Muderere
WITH the Castle Lager Premier Soccer League 2023 season having entered into second half last weekend, newbies Sheasham, Green Fuel and Simba Bhora managed to floor seasoned campaigners to help themselves gain ground in the relegation fight.
Under the tutelage of their new coach Lizwe Sweswe, who took over from John Nyikadzino, on Saturday Sheasham edged former league champions Chicken Inn 1-0 courtesy of a Liberty Masveure first half strike that took their points tally to 20 to occupy the fourth sport from the drop zone after going for a lengthy spell without scoring a goal.
A week before their match against Gamecocks, The Construction Boys stunned many when they beat four-time league champions FC Platinum 2-1 with on fire Masveure grabbing a brace.
In that regard Sweswe reckons all is pointing to the good at the Gweru based outfit
“It has been a job well done by the team, the players and team Sheasham. All these guys have been working very hard since I got here because they love the team and they can see results are coming.
“What matters most is to have these guys having confidence to play and win. It’s all about confidence because these guys had gone for about eight or so games without scoring a goal, I have told them about my philosophy which we do at training and we are seeing the results,” said Sweswe.
Now perched on position 10 with 23 points Greenfuel thumped Prophet Walter Magaya’s Yadah Stars 2-0 to hand them their second consecutive defeat.
Yadah Stars were smarting from a 5-1 drubbing at the hands of former league champions Dynamos.
It was sweet revenge for Greenfuel over Yadah as the first leg tie ended 1-0 in favour of the Miracle Boys.
Now under the guidance of Rodwell Dhlakama, Green Fuel, who in the first half of the season parted ways with two coaches Lloyd Mutasa and Bekithemba Ndlovu, are tied on 23 points with ninth placed Bulawayo Chiefs as Dhlakama continues to wave his magic wand for the Chisumbanje based outfit.
It was a weekend that also saw Shamva based Premier Soccer League newboys Simba Bhora beat defending champions FC Platinum 2-1.
It was Norman Mapeza’s third consecutive defeat.
Tinashe Balakasi found the opener for Simba Bhora in the sixth minute before Nomore Chinyerere got the equaliser in the 13th minute before Tymon Machope found the winner for the visitors in the second half.
However, Chicken Inn, Yadah Stars and FC Platinum were not the only seasoned sides that dropped points in the opening week of the second half of the season.
Bosso, who sit on the summit of the log after going for an impressive 18 game unbeaten run, were held to a nil all draw by Luke Masomere coached ZPC Kariba.
Bosso are on 38 points, five ahead of second placed Ngezi Platinum Stars and they had gone for five games registering consecutive triumphs.
DeMbare’s fire power fizzled against Hwange when the two teams played a goalless draw at Barbourfields Stadium on Sunday.
Alarm bells are ringing in the Makepekepe camp after their woes continued courtesy of a 2-0 away defeat to high riding Manica Diamonds.
Manica Diamonds are still in position three and now have 32 points. On the other hand, Makepekepe slipped from number seven to eight with 24 points to their name.