adminhaunted neighbours Shabanie Mine in the second leg of the Zvishavane derby at Mandava on Sunday.
The Platinum miners, who are on course for a possible league and cup double after qualifying for the semi-finals of the Mbada Diamonds Cup last week, need maximum points from this match to keep nearest rivals Dynamos at bay.
With four games remaining before the curtain comes down on the season, Rahman Gumbo’s men currently lead the pack with 49 points, one better than the Glamour Boys who have a tricky away tie to Hwange on the same day. The money, however, is on for the miners who still have to play Monomotapa, Dynamos and Shooting Stars in their remaining league games.
But they first have to pass the test against Shabanie Mine who also badly need the points to release some of the pressure exerted by their position at the bottom of the table.
“This is a derby and it seems everyone in the community is interested in it. Actually, it’s a game we all have been waiting for and what is more intriguing is the fact that both teams are at the extreme ends of the table.
“So we don’t expect an easy game because they need the points as much we need them,” said Philmon Muvengwa, the FC Platinum secretary. The reverse fixture between the Zvishavane rivals ended in favour of the more affluent platinum miners who romped to a 3-0 win courtesy of Donald Ngoma’s brace and another goal from forward Charles Sibanda.
Despite going into the match as the favourites, Kugona Kunenge Kudada boys will not underrate their opponents. Muvengwa said they don’t want to drop points at this stage of the campaign as any slip up mighty
result in DeMbare and Motor Action gaining more ground in the race.
FC Platinum have recovered from a dip in form last month with victories over Blue Ribbon and Black Mambas before falling to Gunners in their last league outing at Lafarge a fortnight ago. But a 6-5 win over
Chando Kupisa in the quarterfinals of the Mbada Diamonds Cup last week should have served as sweet revenge and a morale-booster.
“We are not looking at what happened before but I think the victory was good to cheer our spirits ahead of this game.
“We hope to do well in our remaining games and, it being our first season in the league, winning the Mbada Diamonds Cup will be a bonus,” said Muvengwa.
FC Platinum will be severely handicapped as they will miss first choice goalkeeper Tafadzwa Dube, Norman Togara, Zephaniah Ngodzo and Charles Sibanda.
Their opponents Shabanie are currently wallowing in the relegation zone as they lie fourth from the bottom with 28 points.
But coach Luke Masomere has vowed that the Chinda Boys will not sink this season.
Shabanie Mine derailed defending Motor Action when they forced a 0-0 draw in their last game at Maglas and they will need to be at their best as they face another title-chasing side.
As the championship race heads towards finishing, the PSL have designed that all games be played at the same time to uphold the spirit of Fair Play.
“As you can see there is tight competition for the title at the top and the bottom seven who are fighting relegation. So it can only be fair if all games are played at the same time,” said Kenny Ndebele, the PSL chief executive.
Hwange, who rose to fourth following a run of good form in their recent league games, still fancy their chances as six points separate them from the leaders. The coal miners are hoping to make use of home advantage and collect maximum points against a Dynamos side that has struggled outside Harare in the league competition this season. DeMbare have neither won nor scored in five games that they played outside the capital and they hope to turn the tide on Sunday.
CAPS United will be hoping to stage beat Blue Ribbon when the sides meet in a mid-table clash at the National Sports Stadium.
Only one point separates the sides with Makepekepe in eighth place with 36 points to their account while Blue Ribbon are just one rung below on the log standings.
Fixtures
Sunday
Kiglon v Monomotapa (Gwanzura), Hwange v Dynamos (Colliery), Highlanders v Gunners (Barbourfields), FC Platinum v Shabanie Mine (Mandava), Motor Action v Shooting Stars (Motor Action), Masvingo v Zimbabwe Saints (Mucheke), Chicken Inn v Black Mambas (Luveve), CAPS United v Blue Ribbon (National Sports Stadium).
Online Reporter