Online Reporter
Onward Gangata [email protected]
THE Central Region Soccer League title race is slowly gravitating towards that point where supporters and teams alike will need calculators to help them through the permutations.
Blanket Mine leads the race with 61 points, seven more than second-placed Chapungu.
However, that lead could be reduced to five points if third-placed Kwekwe United win their outstanding fixture against Matobo.
It feels like Blanket Mine are on course to make it into the Premiership when one considers their form.
The Gwanda-based outfit are yet to taste defeat 25 matches into the campaign, but their unbeaten run is not a guarantee for promotion.
Title races change in a split second; one moment, one mistake can open the door for other contenders.
Many other factors determine the eventual winners in a title race, factors such as the fixtures in the title run-in, form and individual brilliance by players.
If there is one thing that will shape this title race in the remaining nine matches, it is how teams will fare in Gwanda.
The mining town will host a number of crucial fixtures that will have a direct bearing on the destiny of the promotion ticket.
Blanket Mine has three derbies to contend with in their remaining matches.
Luke Petros-Jukulile’s charges will play derbies in three consecutive match days beginning with a home game against Super Strikers on match day 27.
An away trip to Phelandaba Stadium against Gwanda Pirates on match day 28, followed by a home tie against ZRP Gwanda, will test Blanket Mine’s resolve.
“I would have preferred not to play derbies in the title run-in,” Jukulile professed to the Zimpapers Sports Hub.
“Such matches are difficult at this stage of the season, especially when teams are making permutations on the outcome.
“It puts the boys under pressure, a lot of pressure; we just have to be vigilant and make sure we get past this phase unscathed.”
The silver lining on their cloud is that the Barbers, as Blanket Mine are affectionately known, have fared well in the Gwanda derbies.
Three wins and two draws in the league so far give Blanket Mine a head start in the title run-in.
Conversely, Chapungu, who are gunning for promotion, have not been lucky in Gwanda.
Waru Waru have lost twice and managed a draw in Gwanda; they will return one more time to face Super Strikers on match day 32.
Former Premiership side Kwekwe United will have their credentials put to the test in the Gwanda heat on match day 27 when they face West Nicholson.
West Nicholson, who also have a distant chance of gaining promotion, will then play ZRP Gwanda two weeks later.
Whoever emerges stronger from the Gwanda heat will definitely have the strength to cross the line first.
Interestingly, just like last season, the league winners will be crowned in Matabeleland South.
Last year, Hardrock’s coronation was at Dulibadzimu Stadium, where they played their last match of the season.
This time around, all the teams in the race will complete the season in the province.
Blanket Mine will be at home to Good Morning while Kwekwe United will travel to Beitbridge to face Vhembe Stars Academy.
Air Force side, Chapungu will end their campaign in Maphisa against basement side Matobo.
Whichever way it goes, Matabeleland South will have a big say in the Central Region Soccer League title.
Fixtures
Saturday
MSU v Blanket Mine, Sabi Gold Mine v FC Platinum U19, Super Strikers v Grain Tigers
Sunday
Gwanda Pirates v Matobo, Chapungu v Dulibadzimu, Kwekwe United v Good Morning, Shurugwi
FC v Vhembe Stars Academy, Shabanie Mine v West Nicholson
Monday
ZRP Gwanda v Tongogara
