We are officially over the halfway mark into the 2022 season of the Castle Premier Soccer League, and it’s safe to say that we have had one of the most exciting seasons in recent history.
The title chase is even and hotly contested with at least four teams looking like they could win the title.
However, the battle to remain in top flight football come next season will be equally intriguing, with six teams having a realistic chance of the drop next season.
It has not been the most perfect of football seasons — violence has found its way back into football while refereeing has left a lot of football’s loving fans with a sour taste in their mouths.
And I firmly believe that the violence has been because of the poor refereeing decisions that have characterised many of the league’s matches thus far.
But I want to reiterate that this is by no means sufficient reason for fans to act violently and put the very lives of the very players that they follow at risk.
It also makes no sense for me for fans to break out into violence when they know that without fail, their clubs will be penalised for their fans’ behaviour.
Yes, maybe match officials have not been at the top of their game, but we must also remember that they too like players were inactive for a long time.
I don’t think they wilfully go out to make life difficult for whichever teams feel most aggrieved, but they could actually be making bad calls because they are unfit and are struggling to keep up with the play.
But whatever the case may be, it still does not give fans the right to destroy stadia and other infrastructure.
I am also very concerned that out top sides like Caps United and Highlanders are still struggling and sit in very unusual positions on the log standings.
Ordinarily, at this juncture of the title race, both Caps and Highlanders would be in the mix, yet this season Caps are currently 12th while Highlanders are 10th.
Who would have thought Caps United would be just five points off the relegation positions halfway through the season?But on the other hand, I loved the confidence that Joel Luphahla (Highlanders assistant coach) showed to their two youngsters, striker Mthabisi Ncube (18) and Darlington Mukuli (22) whom he thrust into the starting line-up against Harare City in a league match at Barbourfields Stadium.
Mthabisi Ncube
This can only be good for the club — these youngsters debuted at home and will now begin to grow as professional footballers.
Development will always give you results, but it requires a string will to do this at big clubs like Highlanders where championship titles are expected every season.
Highlanders has always been lauded for giving its junior players fair opportunities to break into the senior team but this had stopped for a while and it is good to see Luphahla having a go at it.
With only one point separating 14th-placed Yadah from the relegation zone, there are 17 weeks left in the Premier League, so here we will go over the top four and the bottom six teams in the top flight of Zimbabwean football and their performances to date.
It is not as cut and dry as some pundits may suggest, it is the Premier League after all.
Chicken Inn – 1st – 35 points
Where do you start with the boys in red and yellow from Bulawayo? They are close to being one of the best teams to ever have competed in a season of top flight football in Zimbabwe, if not the best.
Brian Muza and Malvin Whata have been lethal in front of the goal.
Brian Muza
If that doesn’t prove how elite the boys in red and yellow are, then who knows what will. Chicken Inn may win the league, end of story!
Dynamos – 2nd – 34 points
There is absolutely no daylight between Chicken Inn and Dynamos at the top of the table, but it’s not because DeMbare have played their best football.
Dynamos have drawn closer and closer to a title dog fight because of the 2015 champions’ drop in form that has seen them draw too many matches on the trot.
Don’t let their placement fool you though, as the Glamour Boys have had their issues off the pitch.
Tonderai Ndiraya
They suspended then reinstated their head coach Tonderai Ndiraya.
Bill Antonio looks to be as good as everyone keeps saying, ensuring the goals do not dry up.
DeMbare’s defense has been solid — they just need a huge slice of luck to try and reel back their rivals.
God bless and let’s keep positively supporting our football.