Harare City target top eight finish

HARARE City have set themselves an ambitious target to finish in the top eight this season after the side received a kiss of life from the Premier Soccer League to revive their romance with the top-flight.

The Premier Soccer League are set to release the fixtures today ahead of March 17 kick-off.

The Sunshine Boys suffered a shock relegation last year but their return to the top-flight was confirmed at the PSL’s annual general meeting at the weekend.

Harare City were handed a second chance to take the place of How Mine who withdrew from the league last week. The news was received with excitement by the Sunshine Boys coach Mark Harrison and his charges who have now adjusted their focus from Division One football to the Premiership.

“Look, without being too ambitious and without being silly about things, I think we are capable of being top eight, definitely. If we can get better than that, that will be cool.

“But we have got to try and have our mindset ready for the PSL now which starts in the next week or two. We have to do the best we can when we hit the grass.

“We are more than happy. Everybody wants to play in the top league wherever you are in the world. So for us to be given the opportunity to play in the PSL, it’s fantastic,” said Harrison.

Harare City finished 15th last season with 38 points from 34 games.

They parted ways with the coach Philani Ncube with former Technical Director Harrison being reassigned to lead the team this season.

Harrison has since beefed up his technical team by roping in former Highlanders and CAPS United coach Mark Mathe and ex-Dynamos goalkeepers’ trainer Tichaona Diya.

The side have also managed to retain most of their senior players and have even made five new signings headlined by the arrival of former CAPS United skipper Moses Muchenje, Bright Chayambuka, Denzel Chimwemwe, Munyaradzi Diro Nyenye and goalkeeper Ryan Harrison who is coming from South Africa. “We have been preparing for life in the First Division. So all of a sudden to be told that you are playing in the Premier League, we have to adjust a bit. But that’s not a big deal.

“I am confident with the squad we built. We have a squad of 28 players, lots of young players in there and lots of experience in there as well.