BULAWAYO – Premier League champions Ngezi Platinum will begin their title defence away to newcomers Arenel Movers, but all eyes will be on Barbourfields Stadium after Highlanders drew perennial rivals Dynamos at home for their opening fixture.
The Premier Soccer League says the season will get underway in March, but no date has been fixed.
Dynamos’ last visit to Barbourfields ended in violent scenes as Highlanders fans stormed the pitch with the Harare side leading 2-0. The match was eventually awarded to Dynamos on a 3-0 score by the Premier Soccer League, with Highlanders also getting a hefty fine.
CAPS United will host Chicken Inn while Manica Diamonds welcome Simba Bhora in the other exciting season opening fixtures.
FC Platinum, who finished fourth last season, host newly-promoted Chegutu Pirates and will be hoping for a more assured start than they did in 2023 when they lost early ground to the leaders.
Ngezi Platinum will end the season on match day 34 away to CAPS United, with FC Platinum away to TelOne, Highlanders home to Yadah FC and Dynamos away to Greenfuel.
Meanwhile, the PSL left one spot open as the promotion row involving Eastern Region Division One League sides Bikita Minerals and Tenax drags on.
ZIFA’s appeals committee adjourned a hearing of the dispute two weeks ago to February 16.
Tenax appeared to have won promotion on the final day of the season, with Bikita Minerals just a point behind in second.
The celebrations were shortlived when Bikita appealed, arguing that Grayham – whom they played in their final match which ended 1-1 – had fielded an ineligible player. Based on the league’s rules, three points were awarded to Bikita, lifting them above Tenax.
Tenax are the appellants in the dispute.
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