adminEllina Mhlanga Sports Reporter
THE fight for the World Navi Northern Region Division One soccer league title continues, with leaders Flame Lily taking on Lake Harvest at Nyamhunga in Kariba this afternoon as the title race hots up.
Flame Lily coach Nesbert “Yabo” Saruchera has in the past weeks maintained that they need to win all their remaining games to ensure they consolidate their position at the top of the table, considering that Gunners are just a point behind.
And they will battle it out with Lake Harvest, hoping to collect maximum points because a draw or defeat might see them losing the grip on pole position.
Lake Harvest desperately need the points because they are not yet safe from relegation and club secretary Pias Dure said they will be gunning for the three points after a disappointing 4-0 defeat against ZRP Morris in their previous encounter.
“It’s a must-win tie for us because if you look at our position on the table, if we lose we might be booted out.
“If you look at it on a weekly basis, the bottom half has been changing dramatically. But we will win tomorrow’s game,” said Dure yesterday.
Dure said they need to redeem themselves after being clobbered by ZRP Morris last week.
“Pressure is there, especially after the way we lost last week. It was nil-all in the first half, only to concede four gaols in the second half. It was quite surprising; it would have been better if we lost 0-1.
“Everyone is under pressure, the players, coaches and the executive.
“We are feeling the pressure right from the top to the bottom. We had to talk to the players, the coaches and the executive and we will be one team tomorrow (today),” said Dure.
Lake Harvest are 12th on the log table and cannot afford to lose.
In other matches set for this afternoon, second-placed Gunners lock horns with DC Academy in a tricky assignment that can go either way.
Gunners coach Kudakwashe Masaraure said they respect their opponents, but were looking for a win and will do their level best to walk away with a full set of points from Tomlinson.
“We are looking forward to a win. DC Academy are a good team. Even though we beat them 3-2 in the first encounter between us, they were playing really good football.
“And for this game, it’s quite unfortunate for them because we are looking for three points, nothing less than that.
“We can’t afford to lose. At the moment, morale is high in our camp and we are very thankful we managed to regain our winning formula before it was too late,” Masaraure said.
Fixtures:
Today: DStv Rangers v Blue Swallows (Old Hararians), Commando v Mushowani (Commando), Lake Harvest v Flame Lilly (Nyamhunga), Starbill v ZRP Morris (Rufaro), ZRP FC v Karoi United (Morris), DC Academy v Gunners (Tomlinson), Ngezi Platinum v Royal Classic (Baobab), Bindura v Seven Flames (Chipadze), Chegutu v Twalumba (Pfupajena).
Online Reporter