Story by Lawrence Trusida
The just ended Premier Soccer League season which saw Simba Bhora clinching the title confirmed the dawn of a new era in which the traditional giants of Zimbabwean football Dynamos, Highlanders and CAPS United have become bystanders.
Simba Bhora were officially handed the PSL trophy last Saturday after sealing the 2024 Premier Soccer league title a month ago.
The Shamva based side is only in its second season in the topflight and managed to win the big trophy something that has eluded the traditional giants for close to 10 years.
This confirms how far CAPS United, Dynamos and Highlanders have been left behind.
The traditional giants were all outside of the top five while the emerging forces occupied the top positions.
FC Platinum were second behind Simba while Ngezi Platinum, Manica Diamonds and Herentals completed the top five positions.
Highlanders in sixth place finished the season a massive 18 points behind the champions, Dynamos were 20 points off the pace while CAPS united were 21 points in oblivion.
While the traditional giants were struggling the newly promoted sides were even worse.
The trend of newly promoted sides making a quick return to Division One football continued with Arenel Movers and Chegutu Pirates going back after just a season in the topflight while Bikita Minerals survived on the last day.
Only league returnees, TelOne managed to put up a fight ending the season in a respectable position.
The other two sides to be demoted were Hwange and Bulawayo Chiefs after surviving by a whisker last season.
Southern Region were the biggest losers with three teams Arenel, Hwange and Bulawayo Chiefs all going back to Division one.
On the upside Highlanders striker Lynoth Chikuhwa was the season’s top marksman after notching 17 goals for the Bulawayo giants.
What makes Chikuhwa’s tally impressive is that he often played from a wide position or behind Brighton Ncube, but he still found the goals.
The ever-smiling striker scored almost half of Bosso’s goals this season while Khama Billiat of Yadah was second with 13 goals with CAPS United’s William Manondo finding the back of the net 12 times.
While Chikuhwa was banging goals, across town Chicken Inn’s Donavan Bernard was shutting them out.
The Chicken Inn goal minder kept 20 clean sheets in the 30 matches this season showing why he is one of the top goalkeepers in the land.
Bernard showed consistency that has followed him in recent years after keeping 15 clean sheets last season and 18 in 2022.
Meanwhile, the 2024 Soccer Stars of the year will be selected this Wednesday by a panel comprising media personnel, club coaches and captains.
