GIANTS WIN OPENING GAMES FOR FIRST TIME IN THREE YEARS

DYNAMOS and CAPS United won their opening Castle Lager Premiership games for the FIRST time in three years. DeMbare stunned TelOne with a 2-1 win at a rain-soaked Ascot. It was the first time any of the two Harare giants have won an opening game of the domestic Premiership in TWENTY SIX months.

Their last victories, on the opening weekend of the domestic Premiership, had come in March 2023. CAPS United beat Manica Diamonds 2-0 that weekend while Dynamos powered to an impressive 1-0 win over Hwange at the colliery. Whether it was the reason why the Glamour Boys decided to go and camp in Hwange during pre-season, to try and reconnect with that winning formula, we will never know.

Genesis Mangombe’s men, who were expected to fall again after a 0-5 thrashing at the hands of Scottland in a Castle Challenge Cup at Rufaro a few days earlier, rallied to come from the setback of conceding an early goal to win the match 2-1. With CAPS United also winning, a few hours later, it meant that the two giants got off to winning ways for the first time in three years. Last year, the Glamour Boys got their league campaign on a disappointing note after they were held to a goalless draw by ZPC Kariba at Rufaro.

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It set the tempo for a poor season for DeMbare in which they found themselves battling relegation until the final game of the campaign. The arrival of coach Kelvin Kaindu changed everything for the Glamour Boys as they went on an unbeaten run to ensure they remained part of the PSL. CAPS United also started with a draw against Greenfuel and, just like their biggest rivals, they struggled all season and found themselves in relegation trouble before surviving the chop.

In 2024, the Green Machine lost their opening league game when they were beaten 0-1 at home by Chicken Inn. DeMbare did not fare any better as they were beaten 1-2 by Highlanders at Barbourfields.

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