THE third week of the 2014 Castle Lager Premier Soccer League (PSL) roars into life beginning this afternoon and Southern Eye Sports takes a pick at some of the players that have shone in the first two rounds and which football fans should look forward to going into the season.
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Despite having been beaten in their first two matches, How Mine young goalkeeper Donovan Bernard, who has replaced first choice Ephraim Mazarura, is one man between the sticks to watch this year after he was a marvel in the 0-1 loss to Dynamos at Babourfields Stadium in the first match.
The Under-20 Young Warriors shotstopper exhibited some confidence of an experienced goalkeeper against DeMbare, but let in three goals in the second match when How Mine once again fell 1-3 to Bantu Rovers.
How Mine travel to Gweru for Chapungu at Ascot Stadium this afternoon.
Although he has not a kicked a ball this season, Dynamos defender Partson Jaure, who makes a return after a seven-match ban after an altercation with referee Thabani Bamala last year at Barbourfields Stadium (BF) when the league champions played Highlanders.
His first league game this year will be tomorrow when Dynamos return to Bulawayo for a date with PSL returnees Bantu Rovers at BF after taking part in the Independence Trophy final at the National Sports Stadium on Friday.
Highlanders’ evergreen left-back Bruce Kangwa, who missed out on last year’s soccer stars selection after he picked up six yellow cards, is another man to watch together with Dynamos’ Themba Ndlovu, who joined the league champions from Buffaloes.
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Warriors and Hwange right-back Erick Chipeta, the man who led the coal miners to a comeback when they beat FC Platinum 3-2 at Mandava Stadium last week is definitely another player that will make waves on the local scene this year.
Chipeta attracted the attention of big clubs — Dynamos and Highlanders — last year and went for trials with South African Absa PSL side University of Pretoria after impressing the African Nations Championships.
FC Platinum’s Thabani Kamusoko also stood the test of time and remained resolute for the Zvishavane-based club and so has Caps United’s dreadlocked midfielder Tendai Samanja.
After 18 months out of action due to a career-threatening injury Hwange’s Rodwell Chinyengetere returned to the scene to score a brace in the 5-1 demolition of Buffaloes at the Colliery in Chipangano’s first match.
Highlanders left linkman Milton Ncube, who could be leaving the club for greener pastures in South Africa in mid-season, is another player to watch this year as he seeks to prove why he is a wanted man down south.
Kuda Musharu, who has been on trials with South African side AmaZulu after a trailblazing performance in the Caf Confederation Cup for How Mine — despite a second round exit after losing to Nigeria’s Bayelsa United FC — is definitely another players who will make waves after joining the gold miners from relegated Monomotapa.
Aleck Marime is one unheralded striker who was tied with Pevington Zimunya on the fourth spot in the top goalscorers chart last season with 11 goals for relegated Tripple B.
He moved to Hwange and last week grabbed a brace when the coal miners got their second victory with a 3-2 win over FC Platinum at Mandava.
Other players to watch will be Dynamos pair of Masimba Mambare and Ronald Chitiyo, Triangle’s Nhamo Lameck and Pascal Manhanga, Chicken Inn’s Danny “Deco” Phiri and Bantu Rovers’ Nqobizitha Masuku.
