Elimination weekend as Simba Bhora seek to keep title defence alive

Veronica Gwaze-Zimpapers Sports Hub

IT will be a rare “Elimination Weekend’’ for the Castle Lager Premier Soccer League with epic battles set to have a huge bearing on both ends of the log standings.

Leaders Scottland could virtually eliminate bitter rivals MWOS from the title matrix if they beat them at Rufaro today.

MWOS on their part could move to within a point of Scottland if they complete a Premiership double over Tonderai Ndiraya’s men.

But the game at Rufaro is just but one of the intriguing battles on the cards.

Champions Simba Bhora have their own onerous task to deal in their quest to secure back-to-back titles as they visit 2023 kings Ngezi Platinum Stars at Baobab.

Having gone for four games without tasting victory, Simba Bhora coach Joel Luphala is not throwing in the towel yet on the title race.

He believes his charges still have a chance to close in on log leaders Scottland who lead them by three points.

Simba Bhora are second on the table.

A win over Ngezi and a loss for Scottland will see Simba Bhora go joint top.

However, it could be a tall order for Luphahla whose side must stem their slide in which goals have also dried up.

“We both have a target to chase so the rest of the team will still want to play and continue to chase their objectives hence we need to be at our best,” Luphahla said.

He also refused to read much into the impact of coach Takesure Chiragwi’s suspension by Ngezi who will have his assistant Kumbirayi Mutiwekuziva in charge.

“A wounded man is always said to be very dangerous on any day so we will approach the match with a bit of caution, we are not reading into what is happening at the club (Ngezi),” said the Simba Bhora gaffer.

The champions will be without influential midfielder Junior Makunike who is serving suspension for accumulating three yellow cards.

At Mandava the battle to finish in the top four will take centre stage as former champions F.C Platinum receive Herbert “Jompano’’ Maruwa’s TelOne.

Norman Mapeza’s men were the first team to beat the Wi-Fi Boys (1-0) in their own backyard this season, after going for 13 league games without tasting defeat at Ascot.

Thandolwenkosi Ngwenya who is now on the books of South Africa’s AmaZulu broke Maruwa’s fine home run.

This afternoon, Mapeza takes aim at TelOne again, hoping to collect maximum points and move up on the log standings.

“Our preparations have been going well after the international break, we got some few days to rest and since we got back, all has been going on well,” he said.

Mapeza is alive to the mammoth task in his hands this afternoon, emphasizing that the contest will not be easy.

In their last two games before the international break, Telone had been impressive, collecting maximum points both at home and on the road.

Their good form has positioned them in fifth place on the log, two points ahead of sixth placed Platinum miners, generating additional pressure for Mapeza’s men.

Mapeza has challenged his side to collect maximum points today as it is crucial for them getting into the final stretch of the season.

“It will not be easy, because the opponents have been doing well of late collecting maximum points home and away.

“They are two points ahead of us so we need to make sure we collect a positive result; it will mean a lot as we approach the remaining three games of the season.”

On the lower half of the log table, CAPS United will host Manica Diamonds at Rufaro tomorrow, seeking a victory that will literally guarantee them some safety.

In Chisumbanje, GreenFuel will be hoping to create a chance to survive the chop when they host already relegated Kwekwe United.

It has been woeful period for GreenFuel who find themselves in 16th position on the 18-team log table after collecting 31 points in 30 games.

Rodwell Dhlakama’s side have managed only six wins, 13 draws while the other 11 fixtures, most of them on the road, ended in defeat.

Their record places them just one point above another relegation-haunted side, Yadah Stars who must fashion a win over ZPC Kariba at The Heart stadium today.

Despite the grim situation facing GreenFuel, club assistant coach Godfrey Tamirepi believes that they are still in a position to survive.

“We are not throwing in the towel yet, the relegation battle is still open but it is unfortunate that we are now in a difficult space and need as many points in the remaining games.

“There is no longer room for us to falter so we have to put in an extra shift to make things work,” Tamirepi said.