CASTLE Lager Premier Soccer League heavyweights Highlanders have been handed a relatively easy start to life in the 2017 league season as they will face a newly promoted side and rank outsiders Bulawayo City in two of their opening fixtures.

The Erol Akbay coached side open their 2017 account with a home tie against cross town rivals Bulawayo City – a side from which they got four points last season.

City managed to finish on position eight in their debut season but with very little activity in the close season, not much is expected from them in 2017.

Akbay’s men are at home in Week Two against coach Taku Shariwa’s top flight returnees Shabanie Mine.

With limited financial resources, the Zvishavane based side has been struggling to put together a competitive side and have instead relied on unheralded players most of them free agents.

The going will however get a bit tougher for Rodrick Mutuma and his teammates in Week Three with a visit to Harare City who have already declared their title aspirations.

Legendary Sunday “Mhofu” Chidzambwa and his ZPC Kariba – who themselves should be fancying their title prospects after a near miss in 2014 – will troop into Barbourfields in Week Four to face Tshilamoya.
 
Highlanders’ opening 10 fixtures

Highlanders vs Bulawayo City
Highlanders vs Shabanie Mine
Harare City vs Highlanders
Highlanders vs ZPC Kariba
Tsholotsho vs Highlanders
Highlanders vs Ngezi Platinum
Chapungu vs Highlanders
Highlanders vs Dynamos
Bantu Rovers vs Highlanders
Highlanders vs Chicken Inn