adminThe pick of the fixtures is the match pitting Vumbachikwe and log leaders Tripple B at Forbes and Thompson Stadium in Gwanda.
The reverse fixture which was played on the last round of matches at Dulibadzimu in Beitbridge ended prematurely after Vumbachikwe players and officials walked off the pitch protesting an alleged controversial penalty decision which had been awarded to Tripple B by Gwanda referee, Ian Thwala.
The match was later awarded to the log leaders on a 3-0 scoreline and the gold miners were subsequently fined $500 for causing the abandonment.
The abandoned match has created tension among the teams but Tripple B coach Friday Phiri and Tofara Sibanda, the Vumbachikwe secretary, tried to water down the rivalry and said both teams would approach the game like any other match.
“It is not a grudge match because we have nothing against them (Vumbachikwe) but it is one of those games we have to win to keep our grip on top of the log standings,” said Phiri whose side has a five-point advantage at the top with 35 points.
The Vumbachikwe secretary, whose team trail Tshintsha Magiya by 12 points said: “As long as the match officials are fair then nothing can stop us from winning the match. This is a new game and Tripple B are our brothers and as such there is no bad blood between us but what we want is a fair game.”
Tripple B’s director Edward Kanyangu is keen to see his lads play in the Premiership and has already helped put turf surface at Dubalidzimu ahead of next year. His club has come up with a membership drive, magazine and website.
However, it will be a tall order for the visitors to upstage Vumbachikwe who have a good record at home having lost just once this season.
The gold miners went down 2-1 to FC Platinum Under-19 a result head coach Christopher Ndiweni attributed to his side losing its key players like Admire Hofisi and former Masvingo United midfielder Charles Maguraushe among others to either suspension or injury.
A similar battle is also in the offing at Mbizo Stadium in Kwekwe where Silo take on second-placed Willard Kumalo-coached FC Strikers in another grudge match which ended 2 – 0 in favour of the latter but had also its own fair share of trouble after Silo United players also threatened to walk off the pitch at Dulibadzimu during the encounter when their 35th minute freekick was disallowed for offside.
Fixtures:
Airstars v Chapungu (Rutendo), Whawha v Tongogara (Whawha), Vumbachikwe vs Tripple B (Forbes and Thompson), Town United vs FC Platinum U19 (Dulibadzimu) MSU v Chrome Stars (Ascot), New Zimsteel v Blanket Mine (Torwood ), Silo United v FC Strikers (Mbizo).
Online Reporter