The 2019 Castle Lager Premier Soccer League season burst into life on Friday when reigning champions FC Platinum began their title defence against Harare City. More drama followed up on Saturday and Sunday, and Soccer24 now looks at five takeaways from the opening weekend.

More goals on opening weekend
The opening weekend of the 2019 season saw twenty-two goals scored, eight more than those netted in the match-day 1 of the 2018 campaign. The highest scoring game was the 5-0 victory of Chapungu over Bulawayo Chiefs.

Four players hit brace on Match-day 1
Chapungu duo of Brighton Mugoni and Ian Nyoni, Chicken Inn’s Clive Augusto and Dynamos’ Congo import Ngandu Mangala all scored braces over the weekend. Mugoni and Nyoni netted in the 5-0 triumph over Bulawayo Chiefs while Augusto who was playing in his first league game for the Gamecocks hit the target twice in the 3-1 win over ZPC Kariba. Mangala scored both goals in 2-0 victory over Mushowani Stars.

Sadiki gets the first goal of the season
FC Platinum attacker Ali Sadiki got the first goal of the 2019 Castle Lager Premier Soccer League when he scored in the 33rd minute in a 2-0 victory at Harare City. However, he could not beat the time Ishmael Wadi scored the first goal of 2018 season. Wadi hit the target in the 19th minute.

Bulawayo Chiefs suffer heaviest defeat in top-flight football
Bulawayo Chiefs suffered their heaviest defeat since gaining promotion into the Premier Soccer League ahead of the 2018 campaign. Amakhosi Amahle lost 5-0 to Chapungu United on Saturday to set a new club record.

Nekati expelled on first day
Ian Nekati of ZPC Kariba got the first red card of the season when his team lost 3-1 to Chicken Inn. The midfielder received his marching orders in the 66th minute for a crude tackle on Clive Augusto.