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Tadious Manyepo Sports Reporter
TONDERAI Ndiraya is happy FC Platinum failed to stretch their lead at the top of the Castle Lager Premier Soccer League table at the weekend.
Norman Mapeza’s team were neutralised in their goalless draw against Ngezi Platinum Stars at Baobab on Saturday.
Had they managed to win the platinum derby, FC Platinum could have opened an eight-point cushion at the top as second-placed Glamour Boys and Chicken Inn, on third, had dropped points in their respective matches.
Dynamos, who have almost always found the going tough at Nyamhunga, were made to suffer for a point against ZPC Kariba while Chicken Inn, who are now seven points behind FC Platinum, lost 2-1 to Black Rhinos at Vengere.
And with just nine games before the season comes to a close, Ndiraya believes the Glamour Boys have a decent chance to win the title.
“I am happy with the point we took home from the match against ZPC Kariba. Nyamhunga is a very difficult venue. The temperature and the altitude also play a key role while ZPC Kariba themselves, given where they are on the log, are a tough team to play against,” said Ndiraya.
“The destiny of the title is no longer in our own hands given FC Platinum are enjoying a six-point advantage at the top.
“We can only control the games we will play. So we need to put on the work. We need to be at our best going into the last nine games of the season. We need to work on such things that we can control. We should be able to handle the pressure, the heat and everything.
“While we failed to win against ZPC Kariba, our title rivals also failed to take home the three points against Ngezi Platinum. We know that could have been a huge plus on our part had we won our match against ZPC Kariba but we are also happy we took a point away from home.
“What we can only control at the moment are the games we will play as Dynamos. We will have to put in the work and continue to push then see what happens at the end of the season.
“Our players should know we now have to work even harder than we have done previously. We should try to control things, play well or if we fail to assert ourselves in some games, grind the results. That is what we need to do at the moment.”
FC Platinum seem to be lowering the gear after failing to win in two successive matches.
The Zvishavane miners escaped the gore of Black Rhinos when they drew 1-1 against the army side a fortnight ago. Dynamos and Chicken Inn will be hoping Mapeza and his charges will continue to struggle as the marathon heads towards the home stretch.
Mapeza himself has since admitted the games are becoming tougher as pressure to achieve targets gets hotter.
While the league title has effectively become a three-horse race between FC Platinum, Dynamos and Chicken Inn, the competition is even tighter for the top-four.
Manica Diamonds maintained their grip on fourth place after beating Cranborne Bullets 2-1 at Vengere on Sunday and they have the same points with fifth placed Herentals (39) who walloped Tenax 3-1 at the National Sports Stadium.
Highlanders, who made the most of CAPS United’s woes with a 2-1 win over the Harare giants at Barbourfields on Sunday, are sixth, with just a point separating them from Manica Diamonds.
Black Rhinos are seventh by virtue of having an inferior goal difference against Highlanders whom they share the same number of points with. Triangle (36), Ngezi Platinum (34) and even Bulawayo Chiefs, with 33 points, can all fancy their chances of finishing in the top-four.
Competition is also tight at the base of the table, with root side WhaWha on 20 points practically still in with a fight given 12th placed side CAPS United are only eight points ahead of them.
Online Reporter