CAPS United coach Lloyd Chitembwe wants his team to take up from where they left off last year as they begin the defence of their title away to Premiership returnees Shabanie Mine tomorrow.

Makepekepe have a tricky date against the miners who are set for a rebound after three years in the wilderness. Odds are heavily tipped in the Green Machine’s favour following a good display in the pre-season where they made headway by participating in the qualifying rounds of the CAF Champions League.

Chitembwe has called on his players to avoid complacency.   

“For us, the 2016 season is over. We are way past it and it’s now only good for the archives. We won the championship and nobody will take that from us.

“What we are going to do in 2017 will be very important.

“Everything is quite good for us, the work and the ethics. We are very happy as a team and we are excited to be in this situation.

“I am relying on four key pillars this season, which include physical fitness and also the mental preparation. I am confident that my players will deliver.

“I am confident that they will remain at the top level and I have been very fortunate that the attitude of my players has been very good.

“This season I have a special team. I see the hunger of success in their eyes. I see the desire to succeed and as coaches we always try to make them remain focused and stimulate the kind of performance that we need.

“I want my players at CAPS United to continuously improve and they must surpass what they achieved last season.

“I know that the teams we beat last season also want to win against us,’’ said Chitembwe.

The league programme will kickoff this afternoon with an exciting lineup of matches. The new season got a boost last week  when the traditional sponsors Delta Beverages announced a fresh three-year partnership with the Premier Soccer League.

Makepekepe are the holders after winning the 2016 title. However, they have always found trips to Maglas difficult.

Harare City will start the ball rolling in Harare when they welcome newboys Yadah Stars at the National Sports Stadium. Tonderai Ndiraya’s Ngezi Platinum Stars will also be at home in the opening match against Black Rhinos at Baobab.

How Mine will be on the road and their coach Kelvin Kaindu is praying for a bright start when they face ZOPC Kariba at Nyamhunga this afternoon.

“I think a good start will give us an edge going forward. If you start well it boosts the confidence but ZPC Kariba as you know are strong at their backyard. But we are ready,” said Kaindu.

Fixtures

Saturday

Harare City v Yadah (NSS), ZPC Kariba v How Mine (Nyamhunga), Ngezi Platinum v Black Rhinos (Baobab), Chapungu v Triangle (Ascot), Bantu Rovers v Chicken Inn (Luveve), Tsholotsho v Hwange (Barbourfields)

Sunday

Dynamos v FC Platinum (NSS), Highlanders v Bulawayo City (Barbourfields), Shabanie v CAPS United (Maglas)