adminEllina Mhlanga Sports Reporter
THE titanic race for the World Navi Northern Region Division championship is set to go to the wire after rivals Flame Lily and Gunners won their league games yesterday.
Prosper Chinyama’s first half goal powered Flame Lilly to a 1-0 win over Commando at Chikurubi and helped them retain their one-point lead in the title race. Gunners beat ZRP Football Club 2-1 at Rufaro to maintain the pressure on the leaders.
Flame Lily coach, Nesbert Saruchera, said he was disappointed that their rivals Gunners were alleging that they were not practicing Fair Play.
“Some of the teams are now playing mind games. But we just want to remain focused,” said Saruchera.
“We are very experienced and we know what to do at this stage. They are not mind games but dirty mind games. They don’t need to get to that extent.”
Gunners’ move to Rufaro from Lafarge paid off as they collected three points to keep their hopes in the title race alive. Chando Kupisa took the lead in the 19th minute through a McDonald Motsi header that beat goalkeeper Chris Mverechena from close range.
Morris Musiyakuvi doubled the lead for Gunners in the 37th minute before Innocent Nyoni scored a consolation for the visitors deep in time added on.
Gunners coach, Kudakwashe Masaraure, said his men did well under pressure. “At Lafarge the ground is not in good shape because there is no water but here I can see that the boys are doing well.
“We will continue playing here or at Gwanzura because we are now left with one (home) game.
“We are still in the championship race and I believe the league title is ours although Flame Lily won. I believe we will be promoted.
“If we collect maximum points in the remaining three games we will be promoted and we are going to fight to collect those nine points.” In-form Mushowani beat DStv Rangers 2-0 in Madziva to remain five points behind the leaders.
Relegated Royal Classic did not fulfill their game against DC Academy at Tsungubvi after failing to provide the police and referees for the match.
Results
Flame Lily 1, Commando 0; Mushowani 2, DStv Rangers 0; Twalumba 0, Bindura 1; Seven Flames 2, Ngezi Platinum 3; Gunners 2, ZRP FC 1; Karoi 1, Starbill 0; ZRP Morris 4, Lake Harvest 0; Blue Swallows 1, Chegutu Pirates 0.
Latest Log Standings
P W D L F A Pts
Flame Lily 31 20 7 4 34 10 67
Gunners 31 19 9 3 43 15 66
Mushowani 31 18 8 5 37 15 62
Bindura United 31 16 8 7 27 19 56
Ngezi Platinum 31 14 8 9 34 19 50
Karoi United 31 13 6 12 30 25 45
Commando 31 11 12 8 27 22 45
ZRP FC 31 12 7 12 43 25 43
DStv Rangers 31 11 8 12 28 30 41
DC Academy 30 9 13 8 28 27 40
Starbill 31 12 4 14 30 33 40
Lake Harvest 31 12 3 16 34 39 39
ZRP Morris 31 9 11 11 32 26 38
Seven Flames 31 7 14 10 26 38 35
Blue Swallows 31 8 9 14 19 24 33
Chegutu Pirates 31 8 5 18 16 41 29
Twalumba 31 4 11 16 12 32 23
Royal Classic 30 2 4 24 13 73 9
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