The 2018 Castle Lager Premiership gets underway this afternoon with six matches lined up across four cities.
Bulawayo will host two encounters at Barbourfields and Luveve Stadiums.
At the big Emagumeni, Chicken Inn welcome last season’s league runners-up Dynamos.
The two teams are meeting for the 15th time since, and the tie is a repeat of the 2016 season’s match-day one fixture. There is no clear dominance between these rivals as both sides have four wins apiece. Six encounters have ended in draws while the biggest win recorded was in 2016 when Chicken Inn won 3-0.
Cameroonian forward Christian Epoupa is not part of the Dembare squad that travelled southwest, and his place will be filled by either Tawanda Macheke or Quality Kangadze. On the other hand, the hosts will be counting on the experience of midfielder Clemence Matawu, new signing Simon Munawa and striker Obadiah Tarumbwa.
Across the City, Bulawayo City host Chapungu at Luveve.
Reigning Champions, FC Platinum will kickoff their season against ZPC Kariba at National Sports Stadium.
Pure Platinum Play had a disastrous outing in the CAF Champions League and they are hoping to make amends in this season opener. Norman Mapeza will be missed in the dugout due to illness and his assistant Lizwe Sweswe will be in charge.
Kauya Katuruturu also have a new technical setup following the departure of Sunday Chidzambwa at the end of last season. Godfrey Tamirepi who was an assistant at Triangle United is the new coach.
Kariba are hosting their matches in Harare after the PSL condemned their home ground Nyamhunga.
Also using a different home ground is Nichrut FC. The 2017 Central Region Division One Champions shifted their base to Zvishavane and will face Premiership returnees Mutare City at Mandava Stadium.
League debutants Bulawayo Chiefs date Yadah away at Rufaro Stadium while fellow newcomers Herentals play their first ever Premiership game against Ngezi Platinum at Baobab stadium.
CLPSL Match-day 1 Saturday Fixtures:
Chicken Inn v Dynamos (Barbourfields)
Bulawayo City v Chapungu (Luveve)
Ngezi Platinum v Herentals (Baobab)
ZPC Kariba v FC Platinum (NSS)
Nichrut v Mutare City FC (Mandava)
Yadah FC v Bulawayo Chiefs (Rufaro)
*All matches start at 3 pm.
