dyton mupawaenda
Lawrence Moyo–Head Zimpapers Sports Hub
CASTLE Lager Premier Soccer League leaders Highlanders’ title credentials will be under scrutiny tomorrow when they host Chicken Inn in a potentially explosive Bulawayo derby at Barbourfields.
Highlanders are still smarting from last weekend’s defeat at champions, FC Platinum which ended their unbeaten start to the season.
And with another title hopeful and bitter rivals Dynamos coming next, Highlanders are in the middle of a tough three-match lap.
Going into this weekend’s programme, there are 14 more rounds of matches before the season concludes and it is too early to predict the outcome of the title race although contestants will go out seeking maximum points every match day.
WEEK 21 GAMES OF THE WEEK
Highlanders v Chicken Inn
Date: Sunday 03 September
Venue: Barbourfields Stadium
Kick-off: 3pm
Live: ZTN Prime (Channel 294 on DStv Zimbabwe)
Suspended: Mckinnon Mushore (Highlanders)
Injured (Late fitness test): Divine Mhindirira (Highlanders), Brian Muza (Chicken Inn)
Reverse fixture (Week 4): Chicken 0-0 Highlanders
Week 20 log position: Highlanders (1st, 41 points); Chicken Inn (5th, 32 points)
Highlanders will go into the match knowing what to do to either reclaim pole position or extend lead as closest rivals Ngezi Platinum, who are two points behind, would have played their game this afternoon.
If Ngezi Platinum win and assume leadership today, Highlanders will have only ONE result to secure if they are to reclaim pole position. Given that Ngezi Platinum have a better goal difference, three points for them guarantees them top position beyond this weekend if Highlanders either draw or lose against Chicken Inn.
Matches between Highlanders and Chicken Inn have been close affairs and the reverse fixture ended goalless.
Chicken Inn are the most recent champions from Bulawayo having won the Premiership in 2015 while Highlanders were last crowned in 2006.
Highlanders have pegged the Rest of the Ground ticket at US$3, Wings US$5 and VIP US$10 amid expectations there will be a full houses.
To make the game more interesting for the Bosso fans, the club has come up with a challenge where fans vote for a song they will sing in the 10th minute to try and motivate the players.
“We have an interesting challenge for you balandeli be Bosso. This Sunday at BF, 10 minutes into the game, may we all stand up, wherever you are seated, wherever in the world you might be, let’s all stand in solidarity and sing a song to motivate the team. If you are not at BF on the day, please share your videos with us,” announced Highlanders this week.
Meanwhile, while some might look at Chicken Inn as potential party poopers, the reality is that they are also interested in the title and will be out to collect maximum points for their own championship benefit.
Herentals v Ngezi Platinum Stars
Date: Saturday 02 September
Venue: Mandava Stadium
Kick-off: 3pm
Live: ZTN Prime (Channel 294 on DStv Zimbabwe)
Suspended: Gareth Madhake (Ngezi Platinum Stars)
Injured: Tinotenda Murasiranwa (Ngezi Platinum Stars)
Reverse Fixture (Week 4): Ngezi Platinum Stars 3-3 Herentals
Week 20 log position: Herentals (7th, 29 points), Ngezi Platinum (2nd, 39 points)
Ngezi Platinum will move to the top of the Castle Lager Premiership standings, for at least 24 hours, with victory against Herentals this afternoon as they go into the match trailing leaders Highlanders by two points.
Victory gives Ngezi Platinum a one-point advantage over Highlanders who will be in action on Sunday.
If Takesure Chiragwi’s charges collect maximum points today, their stay at the top of the league standings might be longer than 24 hours in the event that Highlanders fail to collect maximum points against Chicken Inn.
However, Herentals are no push overs. The students are notorious for snatching draws in tough assignments, including the reverse fixture which ended 3-3 at the Baobab Stadium on Easter Friday.
In that encounter, Ngezi Platinum even led 2-0 at halftime.
BULAWAYO CHIEFS v FC PLATINUM
Date: Saturday 02 September
Venue: Luveve
Kick-off: 3pm
Suspended: Gift Mbweti (FC Platinum)
Reverse Fixture (Week 4): FC Platinum Stars 2-1 Bulawayo Chiefs
Week 20 log position: FC Platinum (6th place, 30 points); Bulawayo Chiefs (10th place, 24 points)
Defending champions, FC Platinum will be remembered for ending Highlanders’ unbeaten start to the season following a 2-0 win at Mandava on Saturday. The win moved them to within 11 points of leaders Highlanders with 14 matches to go.
At this stage, FC Platinum will be taking each game as it comes hoping that the five teams above them drop points.
Bulawayo Chiefs have had an inconsistent campaign this season and this can be blamed on lack of consistency in the technical department which has undergone three major changes so far.
But on their day, Bulawayo Chiefs can beat any team in the Premiership and FC Platinum coach, Norman Mapeza will be well aware of this threat.
MANICA DIAMONDS v GREEN FUEL
Date: Saturday 02 September
Venue: Gibbo Stadium
Kick-off: 3pm
Suspended: Tashinga Pfende (Green Fuel); Nqobile Ndlovu (Green Fuel)
Reverse Fixture (Week 4): Green Fuel 1-2 Manica Diamonds
Week 20 log position: Manica Diamonds (3rd place, 36 points); Green Fuel (8th place, 26 points)
On paper, Manica Diamonds will start as favourites to complete a double over the Premiership debutants after a 2-1 win in the reverse fixture. However, Rodwell Dhlakama has been doing a good job taking Green Fuel off the relegation zone and has the arsenal to cause an upset.
CRANBORNE BULLETS v DYNAMOS
Date: Saturday 02 September
Venue: Nyamhunga, Kariba
Kick-off: 3pm
Suspended: None
Reverse Fixture (Week 4): Dynamos 0-0 Cranborne
Week 20 log position: Dynamos (4th place, 33 points), Cranborne Bullets (17th place, 18 points)
The non-availability of venues in Harare means two clubs from the capital travelling 370 kilometres to Kariba where Cranborne Bullets have found a temporary home at Nyamhunga Stadium.
The reverse fixture ended goalless but Dynamos have made changes to their technical department where Genesis Mangombe is the interim coach following the departure of Herbert Maruwa.
Dynamos need all points to keep within range in the title race while Cranborne Bullets must win to sustain their survival bid.
Under Mangombe, Dynamos are yet to concede a goal although they fired blanks in Sunday’s goalless draw with Simba Bhora at Barbourfields and pressure is back on the attackers to find the target.
SHEASHAM V HWANGE
Date: Saturday 02 September
Venue: Bata Stadium
Kick-off: 3pm
Suspended: None
Reverse Fixture (Week 4): Hwange 1-1 Sheasham
Week 20 log position: Hwange (11th place, 24 points); Sheasham (15th place, 20 points)
The battle of teams that were in the Division One last season is evenly balanced although the hosts, Sheasham, are keen to end a disappointing run under Lizwe Sweswe, who had an impressive start after joining them from Bulawayo Chiefs.
There were reports of problems within the Hwange camp but officials this week insisted that all was well at the Colliery.
SIMBA BHORA v YADAH STARS
Date: Saturday 02 September
Venue: Baobab
Kick-off: 3pm
Suspended: Albert Manenji (Simba Bhora)
Reverse Fixture (Week 4): Yadah 0-1 Simba Bhora
Week 20 log position: Simba Bhora (13th place, 21 points); Yadah (16th place, 20 points).
The relegation battle is evenly poised and might be decided by the narrowest of margins as was the case in the reverse fixture which Simba Bhora won 1-0 at the National Sports Stadium.
CAPS UNITED v BLACK RHINOS
Date: Sunday 03 September
Venue: Bata Stadium, Gweru
Kick-off: 3pm
Suspended: None
Reverse Fixture (Week 4): Black Rhinos 0-2 Caps United
Week 20 log position: Caps United (9th place, 25 points); Black Rhinos (18th place, 15 points)
BLACK RHINOS are favourites for relegation as they remain bottom of the standings while Caps United are closer to the basement than the summit despite occupying ninth place on the Week 20 log table.
Pressure will be on Black Rhinos to win, allowing Lloyd Chitembwe’s Caps United to approach the match calmer despite the threat of relegation that is real at the moment following a string of poor results midseason.
TRIANGLE UNITED v ZPC KARIBA
Date: Sunday 03 September
Venue: Gibbo
Kick-off: 3pm
Suspended: Merlvin Mukiwa (ZPC Kariba)
Reverse Fixture (Week 4): ZPC Kariba 1-0 Triangle
Week 20 log position: ZPC Kariba (12th place, 24 points); Triangle (14th place, 20 points)
Wheels have come off Triangle and they are now firmly in the relegation equation as they are a place above the chop but tied on 20 points with third from bottom Yadah. Home matches become important at this stage and Triangle will be under immense pressure to collect three points from this fixture.
Online Reporter