D1 season hits home stretch

Senior Sports Reporter
THE reverting race for Premiership promotion and the battle to evade relegation in the Eastern Region Division One season will all be decided in the remaining 10 rounds of league matches. Mutare City Rovers, affectionately known to their fans as Gusha Bhora, are leading the race for promotion into the top-flight league, thanks to a two-point gap at the summit of the log standings.

After needlessly dropping two points against Masvingo at home a fortnight ago, the Mutare Municipality outfit knows full well that it is still game on and from the look of things, it can be any man’s game among the top three.

Fellow Premiership promotion aspirants, Dongo Sawmills are only two points behind Rovers and the Rusape side is drawing comfort from the fact that Mutare City Rovers still has to travel to Rusape among the remaining fixtures.

That Mutare City Rovers are not consistently winning matches, albeit maintaining an unbeaten record, coupled with the fact that they will face a torrid 90 minutes against an Evans Chikwaikwai-led Dongo at Vengere in Week 27, complicates issues for Rovers.

After all, Dongo Sawmills coach, Shadreck Mugurasave, has been there and has done that after winning the same title race with Buffaloes three years ago.

However, Kotwe-based Eastern Stars, who have been blowing hot and cold in this race for the title, cannot be ruled out although if one judges the trends so far in the league, it remains difficult to imagine Rovers dropping five points in the remaining matches.

Zifa Eastern Region general manager, Tedious Machawira, urged clubs to maintain high level discipline and uphold tenets of sportsmanship as the league season approaches its final phase.

“It is normal to have emotions running high especially in the last phase of the league season, but we sincerely urge clubs to maintain high level of discipline and uphold tenets of sportsmanship,” said Machawira.

The veteran football administrator said the Eastern Region Division One League would relegate three teams at the end of the season.

“Yes, three teams will be relegated at the end of the season. Last season we had Rimbi and Mkwasine relegated, but ZRP Masvingo bounced back after the team that was promoted from Masvingo province – Great Zimbabwe University – failed to be part of the Division One League,” he said.