adminRicky Zililo Sports Reporter
EXCITING Castle Lager Premier Soccer League encounters are on the cards this weekend with a number of clubs involved in survival fights.
The epic clash featuring Highlanders and Dynamos set for Sunday at Barbourfields Stadium in Bulawayo has unfortunately overshadowed other Premiership matches.
It is a fact that the two giants command a huge following and what has made this match more exciting is that the two giants are both chasing the championship.
There are however, other exciting matches involving teams that are fighting for survival.
Highlanders, Dynamos, Harare City, Caps United and Chicken Inn are safe from relegation and therefore have no worries as far as playing in the elite league next season is concerned.
Four teams will be axed at the end of the season and therefore teams at the bottom of the log such as Monomotapa which is third from the bottom with 25 points will have to win all their remaining games if they are to brighten their chances of surviving relegation.
The other teams that need to pick points to avoid relegation are Triangle, Buffaloes and How Mine who are tied on 35 points, Shabanie Mine (33), Hwange and Black Mambas tied on 32 points, Black Rhinos (27), Tripple B (19) and Motor Action (18).
Tomorrow, Motor Action will lock horns with Black Rhinos while Tripple B will be hoping to upset Triangle at Duibadzimu Stadium.
Resurgent Hwange who have gone for a five match unbeaten run, winning three and drawing twice in the process, are playing Black Mambas at their favourite fortress, Colliery Stadium on Sunday.
Chipangano’s victories were against Dynamos who they beat 4-2, Shabanie Mine (2-0) and last weekend’s 2-1 away win against Chicken Inn.
Although his side is enjoying a purple patch, Hwange gaffer Nation Dube has remained level headed saying there is still a lot to be done.
“The fight for our survival continues and we are taking each game as it comes. We are not worried about how other teams play but we remain focused on winning our own games. The players have been working hard and that unit of purpose is the one that is driving the team.
We respect Black Mambas and we are looking forward to a good game,” said Dube.
The coalminers will be without suspended Munyaradzi Mungadze while Black Mambas will miss the services of their striker Nicholas Alifandika.
Hwange’s hopes will be pinned on captain Gerald Ndlovu, veteran striker Gilbert Zulu, dribbling wizard Farai Vimisayi, Nkosana Siwela, enterprising Eric Chipeta and David Boriwondo.
John ‘Toto’ Ncube coached Black Mambas have a number of equally good players that are capable of upsetting Chipangano at the Colliery.
Some of the players that Hwange should watch out for include Honey Chimutimunzeve, last Chibwiro, Evans Gwekwerere and Nhlanhla Ncube.
Tomorrow, How Mine travel to Harare for a date with Caps United while championship contenders Harare City are at home to Buffaloes.
Fixtures
Tomorrow: FC Platinum v Shabanie Mine (Mandava, SS9), Motor Action v Black Rhinos (Motor Action), CAPS United v How Mine (National Sports Stadium), Harare City v Buffaloes (Rufaro), Tripple B v Triangle (Dulibadzimu)
Sunday: Hwange v Black Mambas (Colliery), Highlanders v Dynamos (Barbourfields, SS9), Monomotapa v Chicken Inn (Gwanzura)
Log
P W D L F A GD Pts
Highlanders 25 14 5 6 40 20 20 47
Dynamos 25 12 9 4 35 17 18 45
Harare City 25 12 9 4 35 22 13 45
FC Platinum 25 12 6 7 33 23 10 42
Caps United 25 11 6 8 34 29 5 39
Chicken Inn 25 10 6 9 31 29 2 36
Triangle 25 9 8 8 34 30 4 35
Buffaloes 25 10 5 10 36 36 0 35
How Mine 25 10 5 10 23 28 -5 35
Shabanie Mine 25 9 6 10 27 31 -4 33
Hwange 25 8 8 10 30 28 2 32
Black Mambas 25 9 5 11 28 29 -1 32
Black Rhinos 25 6 9 10 26 33 -7 27
Monomotapa 25 6 7 12 23 40 -17 25
Tripple B 25 4 7 13 20 38 -21 19
Motor Action 25 3 9 13 16 31 -15 18
Bongani Ndlovu
Online Reporter