Story by Lawrence Trusida, Sports Editor
DYNAMOS and Ngezi Platinum Stars will kick off the 2024 football season when the two cup winners from last year clash in the season-opening Castle Challenge Cup on February 17, at Baobab stadium.
The 2024 season will kick off early, with league winners Ngezi Platinum Stars taking on Chibuku Super Cup champions Dynamos in the Castle Challenge Cup at Baobab Stadium.
The Premier Soccer League will then start the following weekend on the 24th of February as the league authorities seek to avoid congestion of the season.
With the unavailability of PSL-approved stadia having disrupted the season last year, indications are that there might be three new venues available.
Rufaro Stadium is almost ready, while The Heart Stadium will soon go under inspection, with authorities in Mutare making frantic efforts to spruce up Sakubva Stadium.
League authorities are, however, sweating over the availability of the National Sports Stadium, with indications a major upgrade is on the cards.
“We are expecting a lot of stadia this season and hope to have some of the traditional ones back unfortunately my only concern is the National Sports Stadium which might not be ready by the time we start our season as it’s supposed to get a major upgrade and looks like it won’t be ready by the 24th when the league starts.
“We are starting early because we want to avoid congestion last year we ended up playing games during the International break which did not go down well with others but we were trying to finish the season in time so this year we want to avoid that,” said PSL Chairperson, Farai Jere.
New boys Bikita Minerals are also prepared to spruce up Lithium Stadium but it looks like it won’t be ready before the start of the season and they will be using Gibbo Stadium.
Last year, the National Sports Stadium was congested but this season the situation will be different as two Harare-based teams were relegated with none promoted from the capital city as the Northern Region Division One winners Chegutu Pirates are from Mashonaland West and will be using Baobab Stadium for matches.
