The start to the Castle Lager Premier Soccer League was greeted with controversy on Match Day 1 after ZPC Kariba did not travel to the National Sports Stadium to host FC Platinum insisting that their stadium Nyamhunga in Kariba had passed a re-inspection by ZIFA inspection team.

ZIFA later issued a statement that the inspection team had passed the stadium fit on Saturday 17 match. The PSL had already fixtured the ZPC Kariba/FC Platinum match for the National Sports Stadium in Harare during the week after the ZIFA Stadium inspection team had deemed Nyamhunga not fit to host top-flight football matches. The Platinum miners had already travelled to Harare for the tie.

Away from the ZPC Kariba/FC Platinum challenges, the other Saturday fixtures were played as scheduled;

Bulawayo City Win Opener

A brace by Ishmael Wadi saw Bulawayo City open their Castle Lager Premier league campaign with a win over visiting Chapungu at Luveve Stadium Saturday.

It was the home side that looked the more offensive and could have taken the lead as early as the 19th minute through a free kick by veteran defender Morris Kadzola on the edge of the 18-yard box but his effort was tipped over the bar by Talbert Shumba in goals for Chapungu.

City were rewarded for their relentless surge into the visitors’ half when Kadzola went on an overlapping run from the right flank and brought in an inch-perfect cross which was majestically headed into the net by the lively Wadi beating an outdrawn Shumba.

City’s skipper Sipho Ndlovu was given a red card for a second bookable offence by referee by Mhaka Magare after he lunged at an overlapping Chapungu left back Tapiwa Kumbuyani.

However, Chapungu failed to turn the numerical edge to their advantage.

City grabbed a second goal in the 82nd minute through swift counter-attack initiated by January who laid the ball to Toto on the left flank saw the latter making a spirited run on the left to send a beauty of a cross which was met on the run by Wadi whose far post shot beat a badly exposed Shumba, putting the match to bed.

Nichrut Win Newbies Battle

The clash of the newcomers saw Nichrut travel to Mandava stadium in Zvishavane to host Mutare City and start with a 1-0 win through a goal by Spencer Masunda in the 21st minute.

Ngezi In Comfortable Win

Ngezi Platinum kicked off their campaign with a comfortable 2-0 win over debutants Herentals at the Baobab Stadium. Ngezi scored through Walter Mukanga in the 66th minute and Keith Murera just three minutes from full time.

Yadah Rise From The Dead

Yadah Stars battled from two goals down to snatch a draw in a thrilling Castle Lager Premier Soccer League opener at Rufaro Saturday.

The home side found themselves 2-0 down inside four first-half minutes as Moses Majika and Perfect Chikwende scored for Bulawayo Chiefs. Majika struck from range in the 32nd minute before Chikwende capitalised on poor defending to double Bulawayo Chiefs’ lead four minutes later.

However, veteran striker Ralph Matema gave Yadah hope when he pulled one back three minutes before half-time after being set up by Leroy Mavunga. Byron Madzokere then secured a draw for Yadah late in the second half, converting from the penalty spot.

Chicken Inn Edge Dynamos

A second-half strike by Obadiah Tarumbwa was enough to give Chicken inn maximum points and kick-start their 2018 Castle Larger Premier League campaign on a high note as they edged Harare giants Dynamos on Saturday.

Sunday Matches

Shabanie Edge Triangle

Shabanie Mine put behind a shambolic pre-season to record an important Castle Lager Premiership soccer season day one victory over Triangle United at Mandava. McDonald  Makuwe, son of former Dynamos striker Joseph Makuwe, dazzled for the hosts and David Temwanjira scored the only goal of the match to ensure maximum points for the Chinda Boys. Triangle, who had a poor season last year, looked the better side but they just came short against the hosts.

Highlanders Dehorn Rhinos

Highlanders got off to a morale-boosting win in the 2018 Castle Lager Premier Soccer League against army side Black Rhinos at Barbourfields Stadium Sunday. Goals on either side of the break by Godfrey Makaruse and Gabriel Nyoni earned Bosso maximum points, while veteran striker Lot Chiunga got the consolation goal for the visitors.

CAPS Fire Blanks At Harare City

CAPS United fired blanks in the drawn opening match of the season against Harare City at the National Sports Stadium Sunday. The Harare giants enjoyed the lion’s share of the exchanges but they could not convert the dominance into goals despite creating a number of good scoring chances, including a 51st-minute effort from new boy Brian Muzondiwa that was denied by the woodwork.

Results At A Glance

Saturday: Bulawayo City 2-0 Chapungu, Ngezi Platinum 2-0 Herentals, ZPC Kariba v FC Platinum (not played), Nichrut 1-0 Mutare City, Yadah FC 2-2 Bulawayo Chiefs, Chicken Inn 1-0 Dynamos

Sunday: Highlanders 2-1 Black Rhinos, Shabanie Mine 1-0 Triangle United, Caps United 0-0 Harare City