adminTHE race for the Zifa Eastern Region Division One league title is likely to be decided on the last round of league matches of the season, at least according to Dongo Sawmills mentor Shadreck “Father” Mugurasave.
The soft-spoken Eastern Region Division One title-winning coach, who won Premiership promotion with Buffaloes three seasons ago, said he would be happy with either his team or Mutare City Rovers winning the league championship.
Dongo Sawmills and log leaders Mutare City Rovers have almost reduced the race for the league title to a two-horse race with both teams separated by a paltry two points.
Interestingly, both teams still have tricky fixtures in the remaining nine rounds of league matches and will both travel to troublesome Gutu, where referees have gained the notoriety of deciding the winner.
As if that was not enough, they both still have unfinished business with dark horses Eastern Stars and of course, City Rovers and Dongo Sawmills will also clash in Matchday 27, in a league encounter that is likely to decide the champion.
However, Mugurasave insists that the race will go all the way to the wire.
“I think this race for Premiership promotion will go all the way to the wire. As a team we are doing well and Mutare City Rovers are also doing quite well. It is an interesting race and we only need to keep working hard.
“Personally, I do not mind which team eventually wins the league title as long as it is us or Mutare City. I think the race is now between City and us. All these other teams might compete, but I do not see us or City dropping points anymore,” he said.
Dongo, however, appear to be the bookmakers’ favourites to clinch the title given that if both teams maintain a 100 percent record in the remaining matches, Dongo will then capitalise on home advantage when they host City Rovers in Week 27.
That Dongo have strengthened their team following the late arrival of Evans “Morocco” Chikwakwai also tilts the pendulum in favour of the team.
The former soccer star of the year has been scoring important goals for Mugurasave’s team. He has since hit the nets four times in the five matches he has featured so far.
The 28-year-old Rusape-born goal-poacher joined Dongo after a short stint as Division Two side Watermark player-cum-coach.
The free-scoring striker cut his milk teeth at the now defunct Rusape outfit Grainmasters and later joined the then Premiership side Sundowns before he crossed Limpopo to join Bidvest.
He later joined a Mozambican outfit before returning to domestic top-flight league with Chicken Inn until he headed back home to help Division Two side Watermark.
Meanwhile, the Zifa Eastern Region administration has resolved to have all matches involving the top five teams played at the same time as well as ensure the appointment of a centre referee from a neutral province, The Weekender has learnt.
Zifa Eastern Region board members met in Mutare last weekend and decided to take steps to ensure that the best team of the season wins the title.
Tedious Machawira, the Zifa Eastern Region general manager, emerged from the meeting to announce that all matches involving the top five teams will be played at the same time to avoid cases of bribery or match fixing.
Machawira said whenever a team from Manicaland would be playing a team from Masvingo, a referee from Mashonaland East would be appointed to officiate.
“It promises to be an intriguing race which we do not want to be tainted by cases of bribery or match fixing.
Therefore, we have resolved to have all matches involving the top five teams played at the same time.
“We have also resolved to have referees from neutral provinces appointed to officiate in matches involving teams in the top five. For example, if a team from Manicaland will be playing a team from Masvingo, a referee from Mashonaland East will be appointed to officiate. We hope this will help reduce incidences of bribery or match fixing,” said Machawira.
The veteran football administrator said a match commissioner from a neutral province would also be appointed to handle matches involving teams in the top five.
Mutare City Rovers’ remaining nine matches:
v Mutare Poly (A); v Tenax (H); v Gaza Gunners (A); v Surrey Abattoirs (H); Chivhu (A); v ZRP Masvingo (H); v Dongo Sawmills (A); v Eastern Stars (H); v Gutu (A):
Dongo Sawmills’ remaining nine matches:
v Surrey Abattoirs (A); v Chivhu Stars (H); v ZRP Masvingo (A); Black Eagles (A); Eastern Stars (H); v Gutu (A); v Mutare City Rovers (H); Ruwa (A); v Mwenezana (H).
Online Reporter