FATIGUE could be the biggest setback for teams in the Castle Lager Premier Soccer League (PSL) as action resumes in the second half of the top flight.
THANDIWE MOYO SPORTS CORRESPONDENT
The congested calendar, which has three cup competitions, could see teams playing twice a week and travelling just as much.
This weekend the league resumes. In August teams will take part in the Chibuku Cup and One Wallet Cup semi-finals with the league also in full swing.
In September the Chibuku Cup will play while the league will enter week 22 to 25.
The semi-finalists of the Chibuku Cup will then bear the most pressure as they will continue playing in the competition.
With the Sports and Recreation Commission urging the PSL to make sure the league ends before the African Union Region V Youth Games in December, a number of matches could be played mid-week.
Barbourfields Stadium will be closed for renovations for some time in preparation for the Youth Games and this could affect the league.
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Highlanders lead the standings by three points from 15 matches played with ZPC Kariba, Dynamos and Caps United in second third and fourth separated by goal difference on 27 points each.
Last weekend Highlanders, How Mine, Triangle, Harare City, FC Platinum, Chicken Inn, Dynamos and Caps United took part in the One Wallet Cup at different venues.
Highlander lost 3-4 on penalties to How Mine, Triangle triumphed over Harare City 7-6 also on spot-kicks. FC Platinum fell to beat Chicken Inn falling 0-1 and Dynamos won the Harare derby 1-0 against Caps.
With the league resuming Highlanders will face Bantu Rovers who struggled to pick up points in the first half of the season.
Following their lacklustre performance against How Mine, Highlanders could find themselves having to fight hard to contain Bantu Rovers.
Bantu Rovers’ biggest letdown has been failure to get goals even though they dominate in matches they play. Tshintsha Guluva will bank on fatigue to creep into the Highlanders camp following their participation in the One Wallet Cup at the weekend while they rested.
Black Rhinos will be looking towards the same with the hope that How Mine would falter again and they would collect maximum points. How Mine will be looking for that consolation win after losing 0-1.
Dynamos and Caps United will probably have to dig deep to overcome the fatigue as they face each other for the third time this month. So far they have drawn in the league with Dynamos winning 1-0 in the cup game.
Shabanie will be looking to make amends for their loss in the Zvishavane derby when they take on FC Platinum while Chicken Inn who booked a place in the semi-final of the One Wallet Cup will face ZPC Kariba in their return league match.
Chapungu will face Triangle with Chiredzi playing Buffaloes.
