DeMbare, FCP in do or die clash

Eddie Chikamhi Senior Sports Reporter

AFTER all the hysteria about the proposed 60th anniversary grand celebrations had watered down, giants Dynamos appear to be coming to terms with the reality that the 2023 league title was not meant to be theirs.

The team’s coach Genesis Mangombe is unhappy with the team’s form ahead of their trip to FC Platinum tomorrow, as the marathon now hits the homestretch.

The clash at Mandava is likely to define the Glamour Boys’ destiny; whether they still continue cherishing their faint title hopes or their fate is sealed for good, for another barren season.

DeMbare dropped five points in their last two games, to hand log leaders Ngezi Platinum Stars strong advantage, going into the last four games.

Although sitting in second place, and tied on 50 points, with FC Platinum, the two teams still fancy mathematical chances to challenge Ngezi Platinum Stars in this year’s title race, despite both teams trailing the Mhondoro side by seven points.

But inconsistent performances have derailed their progress. Both teams have dropped points at crucial moments. Interestingly, they have identical statistics of two wins, two losses and a draw in their last five outings.

If tomorrow’s match produces a winner, the victorious side could be able to buy more time in the title race while the losing team would effectively kiss their 2023 title ambitions goodbye, should Ngezi Platinum Stars win at home against new boys Sheasham.

That is how important this midweek programme is for both the defending champions FC Platinum and Dynamos as well as Ngezi Platinum.

FC Platinum grabbed the momentum following the 1-0 win at Chicken Inn last Saturday to shore up their fading hopes while log leaders Ngezi Platinum Stars lost by a similar margin at Hwange on Sunday.

DeMbare could also have reduced the gap to five points with a win against Black Rhinos, but they blew up the opportunity after firing blanks.

“It’s (the situation) not pleasing at all but you cannot change it just like that because this is a game of football,” said Mangombe.

“We can only change it by scoring goals. But if you fail to hit the back of the net then there is nothing we can do.

“We need to change our mentality and start scoring goals because if we can score goals then we can start to talk of narrowing the margins,” said Mangombe.

The youthful gaffer, however, is still adamant the Glamour Boys will still need to finish strongly but they face a daunting path in their remaining fixtures against FC Platinum, Chicken Inn, GreenFuel and Yadah.

“If you see the margin between us and the leaders, it’s not that much if we can concentrate on every game and if we can get maximum points.

“This time around we don’t need to drop points like this because if you lose points like this you won’t be a champion. So we need to go back to the drawing board and address how we can chase the leaders,” said Mangombe.

The Glamour Boys lost 0-1 to Manica Diamonds to blow up a possible chance with their “game in hand” last Wednesday before blowing away another opportunity to close in on log leaders Ngezi Platinum Stars on Sunday.

Last Sunday’s goalless draw against Black Rhinos meant DeMbare failed to take advantage of the slip-up by log leaders Ngezi Platinum Stars who lost to Hwange and remained stagnant on 57 points.

DeMbare will be hoping for the return of key players Kevin and Elvis Moyo who were out with injuries and skipper Frank Makarati and midfielder Tanaka Shandirwa who were suspended for the last game.

While DeMbare are still hoping for a miracle in this year’s championship race, FC Platinum coach Norman Mapeza was more blunt about the end of his team’s four-year reign.

Despite collecting maximum points at Chicken Inn, Mapeza had already conceded in favour of rivals Ngezi Platinum Stars.

“I have to be honest with you, mathematically our chances of winning the championship this season, we put them maybe at 20 percent. I think we lost some crucial points along the way.

“If you look at our last three matches, I think if we really wanted to push for the championship we should have at least collected seven points minimum. But, it didn’t happen.

“So, we just take each game as it comes and see what happens in the remaining five games of the season,” Mapeza said.

The Zvishavane platinum miners will also play Yadah, Hwange and Sheasham in their remaining matches.

The title favourites Ngezi Platinum Stars tomorrow will host Sheasham looking to bounce back from the disappointment at Hwange.

They will face Simba Bhora, Cranborne Bullets and then conclude their season against Highlanders at Barbourfields.

Manica Diamonds, on 50 points, are still lurking in the championship matrix, as they host Simba Bhora at Gibbo tomorrow.

Week 30 Results

Tomorrow

Black Rhinos v Yadah (Bata)

Chicken Inn v Greenfuel (Luveve)

FC Platinum v Dynamos (Mandava)

Herentals v Cranborne Bullets (NSS)

Manica Diamonds v Simba Bhora (Gibbo)