PSL registration deadline closes tomorrow

THE Castle Lager Premier Soccer League registration deadline closes tomorrow with all the 16 teams expected to forward their 2013 squads to the league.

League chief executive officer Kennedy Ndebele, confirmed the registration deadline date and urged teams to adhere to it.

The registration deadline is however for administrative purposes so that teams can get players' licences in time. The Fifa transfer window closes on 25 March and tomorrow's deadline means that any further movements of players, especially those that will be registered tomorrow will now be on cash basis.

"Teams should submit their 2013 squads to our offices on Thursday so that we start processing their licences," said the Premiership head of secretariat.

He said some clubs have however already started submitting their lists and was hopeful that all clubs will be able to meet the deadline.

Harare giants and reigning league champions Dynamos are believed to have been the early birds in submitting their list probably due to the fact that they are participating in the Caf Champions League and had an early start to their season.

Zvishavane based FC Platinum, now under Zambian Tennant Chilumba is another team believed to have long finalised their 2013 squad as they are eyeing to bring the league trophy to the Midlands for the first time.

Highlanders are expected to finalise their squad this afternoon ahead of the deadline.

The club announced earlier this month that they will be offloading some of their players in a bid to accommodate new arrivals with head coach Zambian Kelvin Kaindu telling this publication last week that they were likely to sacrifice a defender or midfielder in order to accommodate two more strikers.

Set to be part of the club set up is Douglas Sibanda from Gwanda, a utility player in the mould of Tito Paketh who can play any position infield.

"Our squad is almost ready, I must say that we have identified about 25 players that we want and next week we will be able to release those that did not make the grade so that they could try their luck somewhere before the transfer window closes," Kaindu said last week Wednesday as they prepared for the Bob Super Cup second leg final against bitter rivals Dynamos.

Four former strikers Thabani Moyo, Nqobile Mpala, Njabulo Ncube and Patrick Mboma Mpofu are training with the team. Of concern could be their match fitness and mental strength as when they left the club their scoring form was not anything to write home about. They did not really impress at the clubs they moved to leading to their being released as free agents.

Last week Highlanders released Gilbert Banda and their defence frailties were exposed while Francisco Zvikumbawire was in Bulawayo and calling on them to get him.

But the coaches are said to have told club secretary Andrew Tapela that Dynamos' most sought after player would not be good enough for their cause.

Bosso who have been clamouring for a striker since last year, have failed to bring home Tendai Ndoro and Zambian Ignatius Lwipa who is believed to have joined rich Mozambican side Malculumana.

Chidzani Malaba could be promoted from the juniors.

Zimbabwe and former Caps United right back Hardlife Zvireki is believed to be keen on moving to Bulawayo. He can be played as a right winger and has telling crosses and strong on defence. He could be a solution to the right back woes at the club where Bruce Tshuma, Atlast Musasa and Lawson Nkomo have failed to make an impact like Bruce Kangwa has done to the left back slot.

Following Sunday's 4-0 drubbing where the Bulawayo giants were extensively exposed, the technical team and executive are expected to make the best out of the remaining two days and come up with solutions.