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Ricky Zililo Sports Reporter
BEKITHEMBA Ndlovu has told his players they can still win the Premier League title – ahead of the season-ending clash with Shabanie Mine tomorrow.
The stand-in Highlanders coach knows the title is now out of their hands after last week’s abject 4-0 surrender to Harare City, who dethroned them in the process to establish a two-point advantage at the top.
Highlanders must win their meeting with Shabanie Mine and then hope that City fall to Caps United and Dynamos draw or lose to Black Mambas.
Put simply, Highlanders can win the title only if they better Dynamos’ winning margin by four goals and City fail to beat United.
They must do so without Mthulisi Maphosa and Dumisani ‘Fazo’ Ndlovu who are nursing injuries, and striker Gabriel Nyoni who is writing his examinations at the National University of Science and Technology.
Odds favour City who are two points clear of both Dynamos and Highlanders who are tied on 51 points.
Whatever the case, the championship race is definitely set for a photo-finish.
Ndlovu insists his men must do their part, and let the other possibilities play out.
“The guys are looking sharp and they still believe that we’ve got a chance of winning the title and what we’ve to do is just win our game,” Ndlovu said yesterday.
“We’re coming from a heavy defeat to Harare City and we would like to make amends for that loss so that we finish the season strongly.
“This match against Shabanie means a lot to us because we’ve to make our supporters happy by winning it with style. Victory will be a confidence booster as we head to the Mbada Diamonds Cup final on 30 November.”
In the absence of Dumisani, Eric Mudzingwa and ageing Innocent Mapuranga who had a nightmarish outing against Harare City are likely to partner in central defence with Hillary Madzivanyika, Simon Munawa and Douglas Sibanda vying for the anchorman’s role.
With Highlanders needing more than four goals against Shabanie Mine to improve their goal difference, the unavailability of speed merchant Nyoni could be a blow as he was expected to combine with veteran Njabulo Ncube in search of goals.
Ozias Zibande and Master Masitara are the two strikers that will be expected to complement Ncube.
Bosso will not have it easy from Shabanie Mine as the Zvishavane club is not safe from the chop and will be out for a positive result.
Luke Masomere is fretting over injuries to his key players but the veteran gaffer has said that they can do with the available ammunition.
Striker Tarisai Rukanda, dribbling wizard Valentine Ndaba, Pervington Zimunya, Caleb Masocha and Eria Phiri have been having light training throughout the week.
“We’re coming to Barbourfields to compete not just to make up numbers. It’ll be a tough but interesting game that I’m looking forward to and I’ll be there to make sure that the spirit of Fair Play prevails,” Masomere said.
“We want nothing other than a win and even a draw will be good for our survival but what we want most is a win so that we keep our top eight hopes alive.”
Shabanie Mine come to Barbourfields Stadium with their heads held high after their hard fought point on their last road trip to Dynamos, followed with last Sunday’s convincing 2-0 victory at home to relegation-threatened Triangle.
Away from the championship race, Hwange are confident of beating Motor Action with their coach Nation Dube saying: “We’re not in a relegation fight but we’re just not in our rightful place. The players are focused and know very well what is at stake and they are the ones who can take themselves out of where we’re presently.”
Motor Action have already been relegated and since the start of the second half of the season, the coalminers only lost once to FC Platinum (0-1) at home.
Hwange have won four times at the Colliery Stadium including their famous 4-2 victory over defending champions Dynamos.
At Beitbridge, Tripple B kiss goodbye to the elite league with a home game against How Mine at Dulibadzimu Stadium.
The gold miners are eighth and have promised to give the border town club a dreadful Premiership farewell.
“Our target is to be in the top eight and at this stage we cannot afford to take them lightly.
“There is a saying that the last kicks of a dying horse are dangerous and we don’t want to fall victim to Tripple B. We’re going to Beitbridge seeking nothing other than a win,” said How Mine coach Philani ‘Beefy’ Ncube.
Fixtures
Sunday: Dynamos v Black Mambas (Rufaro), Tripple B v How Mine (Dulibadzimu), FC Platinum v Buffaloes (Mandava), Hwange v Motor Action (Colliery), Caps United v Harare City (National Sports Stadium), Monomotapa v Black Rhinos (Gwanzura), Highlanders v Shabanie Mine (Barbourfields), Triangle United v Chicken Inn (Gibbo)
Log Standing
P W D L F A GD Pts
Harare City 29 14 11 4 41 23 18 53
Dynamos 29 13 12 4 41 22 19 51
Highlanders 29 15 6 8 42 26 16 51
FC Platinum 29 14 7 8 38 27 11 49
Caps United 29 14 6 9 40 32 8 48
Chicken Inn 29 12 8 9 40 33 7 44
How Mine 29 12 6 11 26 30 -4 42
Shabanie Mine 29 11 7 11 32 35 -3 40
Triangle 29 10 9 10 41 35 6 39
Hwange 29 10 8 11 35 30 5 38
Black Mambas 29 11 5 13 34 37 -3 38
Buffaloes 29 11 5 13 38 41 -3 38
Black Rhinos 29 9 10 10 32 35 -3 37
Monomotapa 29 6 8 15 25 46 -22 26
Motor Action 29 3 11 15 17 36 -19 20
Tripple B 29 4 7 18 25 59 -34 19
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