Harare — FOOTBALL enthusiasts refocus their attention on the local Buddie Premier League this weekend now that the eagerly awaited international match between Zimbabwe and Gabon is out of the way.

The destiny of this year's championship is still hazy, with no clear favourite among the teams. Champions CAPS United have played in fits and starts and have already lost to Hwange and Highlanders. United ended the first half of last season unbeaten, something they failed to achieve this year.

Highlanders, who won the league on four consecutive occasions in recent years, have also lost once to premiership comebacks Buymore.

Eric Rosen's expensively assembled Motor Action have not been consistent, although they still have a chance to consolidate their lead at the top.

This weekend's encounters kick off on Saturday with CAPS United making the trip to the mining town of Kadoma, where they will face a revived Eiffel Wildcats. The home team had been facing serious financial problems but the intervention of new owner Tapiwa Matangaidze has breathed new life into the sleepy Rimuka town. Wildcats chalked their first victory (1-0 over Monomotapa) the very first week Matangaidze took over.

But the Harare businessman's intervention to save the ailing side has met with resistance from some former Eiffel Flats players, who want to take over the running of the community team. The confusion is likely to affect the team's performance.

CAPS, on the other hand, will be seeking a victory in order to leapfrog Motor Action.

Simeon Jamanda hopes for the best when his Mighty Bulls take on struggling log anchors Black Rhinos on Saturday. The army side have had their worst start to the season since the formation of the league and will be hoping for a change of fortunes this weekend.

Droment Chirova's Railstars host unpredictable Hwange at Barbourfields to complete Saturday's fixtures.

The weekend's main attraction will be the match at the National Sports Stadium where a revived Dynamos play Buymore on Sunday. For the first time, Buymore will go into the match as favourites after dismissing highly fancied Highlanders 1-0 at Gwanzura a fortnight ago.

Former Dynamos crowd favourites Gift Muzadzi, James Matola and midfielder Francis Chandida are now turning out for the Max Moyo-coached side and will be itching to prove that Dynamos made a blunder by letting them go in the off-season. Highlanders will be at home to Lancashire Steel on Sunday and are tipped to walk away with three points. After a faltering start, Dick Chama's strikers have recovered their scoring form.

Full fixtures:

Saturday: Eiffel Wildcats v CAPS United (Rimuka); Motor Action v Black Rhinos (Sakubva); Railstars v Hwange (Barbourfields); Sundowns v Shabanie Mine. Sunday: Chapungu v Monomotapa (Ascot); Dynamos v Buymore (NSS); Highlanders v Lancashire Steel (B/F); Masvingo v Amazulu (Mucheke).