Online Reporter
Onward Gangata [email protected]
THERE were no major changes in the Central Region Soccer League title race after all three promotion contenders dropped points over the weekend.
Log leaders Blanket Mine needed a late goal from Ishmael Meki to rescue a point away to Tongogara on Saturday.
Second-placed Kwekwe United and third-placed Chapungu played out a goalless draw at Baghdad Stadium.
The results allowed Blanket Mine to maintain their grip on top spot with 58 points, five ahead of Kwekwe United, while Chapungu remain third on 51 points.
With just 10 matches remaining before the end of the season, the chasing pack faces an increasingly difficult task in overhauling Blanket Mine’s advantage at the summit.
Kwekwe United coach Tendai Chikuni admitted the draw represented a missed opportunity in the title race.
“I would have loved to get all the three points in this match. But Chapungu are a good side, they defended well, remember in the first half of the season they beat us so we have to take that one point and keep fighting.
“We have been struggling for goals lately, even in the past games we have not been getting enough goals, it is an area we need to work on.”
Chapungu assistant coach Moenda Muchingami remains confident the airmen can end their seven-year absence from the Premiership.
He said his side was ready to fight until the end of the campaign in pursuit of promotion back to the top flight.
“The race is still very much on, come end of the season, we will be promoted, what we need to do is to win all our remaining games starting with the game in mid-week and the rest will take care of itself,” he confidently said.
The race resumes on Wednesday with a potentially decisive Gwanda derby at Sabiwa Stadium, where West Nicholson will host Blanket Mine.
Chapungu travel to Zhombe for a date with Good Morning, while Kwekwe United take on Matobo.
As the title race enters its final stretch, every point is becoming increasingly valuable, with Blanket Mine still holding the advantage despite this weekend’s slip-up.
Results: Tongogara 1-1 Blanket Mine, Kwekwe United 0-0 Chapungu, Sabi Gold Mine 0-1 Good Morning, Vhembe Stars Academy 1-2 Good Morning, Shabanie Mine 1-1 Shurugwi FC , Super Strikers 0-1 Matobo.
Mid-week Fixtures: Wednesday
Blanket Mine v West Nicholson, Good Morning v Chapungu, Matobo v Kwekwe United, Grain Tigers v MSU, FC Platinum U19 v Super Strikers, Shurugwi FC v Sabi Gold Mine, Tongogara v Shabanie Mine, Dulibadzimu v Gwanda Pirates
Thursday:
Vhembe Stars Academy v ZRP Gwanda
Bongani Ndlovu