It was another pulsating weekend in the Castle Larger Premier Soccer League with a fair share of upsets and surprises as the so called small teams delivered a sucker punch blow on the traditional heavyweights.
We take a look at the matches played over the weekend
Week 2 kicked off with a fixture between debutant Yadah FC hosting ZPC Kariba at the National Sports Stadium. The Prophet Walter Magaya sponsored team delivered a spirited (pardon the pun) performance to upsurge the Kariba based side.
The match was marred by alleged poor officiating but Yadah FC earned their first full set of points as they went into the weekend enjoying top spot though it lasted for hours. How proverbial!
On Saturday at the National Sports Stadium, it was a battle of the army sides as Chapungu faced Chauya chipembere, Black Rhinos.
It was the Chapungu who flew past the Rhinos courtesy of a Sydney Linyama solitary strike. The former Dynamos centre back rose highest to pounce on a corner kick and give the Gweru outfit a reliving win.
At Mandava Stadium, FC Platinum dispatched industrious Bantu Rovers 3-2 in a pulsating match with Mapeza underlining his title chances despite collecting maximum points in his first 2 matches in 2017 together with Ngezi Platinum.
It might be early days, but the past two matches have shown that the Norman Mapeza coached side are a complete unity that can have a shout at the title.
Bulawayo City made a meal out of Chicken Inn at Barbourfields after dispatching the former Champions one nil in another exciting encounter that proved that the era of small teams could soon be over.
A week after putting up a five star performance on the opening day of the league, the drumstick boys were quickly rough down to earth. Reports say they missed a number of chances which they lived to regret.
Former Champions, Dynamos suffered an embarrassing draw after having led two nil at Gibbo Stadium against Triangle FC.
Triangle FC showed character in the comeback by forcing a draw against a Dynamos side which desperately needed maximum points.
However, it was another dropped set of points for coach Lloyd Mutasa who must be feeling the heat after having been given a 10 game ultimatum by the Dembare board.
If Mutasa does not find the winning formula soon, he could soon leave his newly assembled team in the same manner he did during his first stint with the Glamour boys. Samaita who is hailed for his capacity to identify talent knows an indifferent result in his next assignment could spell doom for his career and should be a worried man especially considering that rival teams are already flying.
In Harare, Champions, Caps United returned to winning ways after having faltered in their opening match at Maglas last weekend. They dispatched a depleted Harare City 2-1 at the National Sports Stadium.
A wonder strike by Tafadzwa Rusike and a goal by Ronald Pfumbidzayi two minutes after City had equalised were enough to see the Green Machine collect their first maximum points of the season.
They maintain their record of having not lost at home since opening day of last season.
In the biggest upset of the weekend, Highlanders fell one nil to visiting Shabanie Mine FC.
Bosso had Eric Mudzingwa sent off for dissent as they lost their first match of the season to the Chinda Boys who look like they are on a mission to stay in the league rather than being occasional relegation threatened side that they are known to be.
Shabanie, who drew with Caps United on the opening weekend, showed great resolve as they thwarted every attack that Bosso offered.
In Hwange, the visitors, Ngezi Platinum continued with their impressive journey thrashing a demotivated Hwange FC with Tonderai Ndiraya happy with his charges after such a clinical performance which he hopes can only get in the coming fixtures.
Stats in Focus
Week 2 had 17 goals and three red cards with the Highlanders-Shabanie encounter recording two of the three red cards. The highest number of goals came in FC Platinum-Bantu Rover which produced a five goal thriller.
The highest winning margin was Ngezi Platinum’s 3-0 demolition of Hwange Football Club.
