adminEllina Mhlanga Sports Reporter
AFTER weeks of twist and turns in this exciting World Navi Northern Region Division One soccer league, Flame Lily appear set to clinch the title. They opened a three-point lead on Saturday when they dismissed Starbill 1-0 at Chikurubi. The prison officers got the important goal from Kenny Marowa in the 36th minute to take their tally of points to 73 while second-placed Gunners were held to a 2-2 draw at Rufaro by Ngezi Platinum.
Gunners were trailing Flame Lilly by just a point before Saturday’s match.
Moses Demera and McDonald Motsi were on target for Gunners while Ngezi’s Sydney Murefu scored a brace.
With just one game left in the season, a draw in the last round of matches will be enough to earn Flame Lily the title but, in this game, nothing can be taken for granted.
They take on ZRP Football Club at Morris while Gunners, who have a better goal difference, take on Bindura at Chipadze hoping Flame Lily lose.
Flame Lily coach Nesbert “Yabo” Saruchera remained calm.
“We are going to fight as usual to collect three points, we are not going to play for a draw. We want to make sure we play for maximum points to be crowned champions.
“I think we are happy we are progressing each and every game and it’s now a game to go.
“And it’s not going to be a dull game where you will maybe see Flame Lily sitting back to defend, we are going to attack to score,” said Saruchera.
Saruchera said morale was high in his camp after Saturday’s victory.
“Morale is very high. The guys are very happy and they are ready for our next game,” said Saruchera.
Gunners coach, Kudakwashe Masaraure, said he wasn’t giving up the fight.
“The chances are there, if we win and they lose we can go on and be crowned champions because of a superior goal difference and I believe that’s very possible.
“If we lose tough luck but it’s not the end of the road, earlier on we had said it’s a build-up for next year but I still believe we can win the title,” said Masaraure.
The Gunners coach, however, said they should have maintained their lead when they were five points ahead of their rivals.
“We should have maintained the lead but the guys lost form and we drew and lost some matches. It’s quite unfortunate but it happens in football,” Masaraure said.
Results:
Blue Swallows 1, Commando 0; Seven Flames 4, Twalumba 1; Royal Classic 0, Bindura 3; Gunners 2, Ngezi Platinum 2; Karoi United 1, DC Academy 1; ZRP Morris 1, ZRP Football Club 2; Flame Lilly 1, Starbill 0; Mushowani 2, Lake Harvest 0; DStv Rangers 2, Chegutu 1.
Latest Log Table
P W D L F A Pts
Flame Lilly 33 22 7 4 36 10 73
Gunners 33 20 10 3 47 18 70
Mushowani 33 20 8 5 41 15 68
Bindura United 33 18 8 7 33 19 62
Ngezi Platinum 33 15 9 9 39 21 54
ZRP Football Club 33 13 8 12 46 27 47
Karoi United 33 13 8 12 32 27 47
Commando 33 11 12 10 27 25 45
DStv Rangers 33 12 9 12 31 32 45
DC Academy 33 10 14 9 33 30 44
Starbill 33 12 5 15 31 35 41
ZRP Morris 33 9 12 12 34 29 39
Lake Harvest 33 12 3 18 34 42 39
Seven Flames 33 8 14 11 30 42 38
Blue Swallows 33 9 10 14 21 25 37
Chegutu Pirates 33 8 6 19 18 44 30
Twalumba 33 4 12 17 14 37 24
Royal Classic 33 2 4 27 13 82 9
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