adminEddie Chikamhi Sports Reporter
TRIANGLE coach Gishon Ntini says he is not worried by the intensity of the Premier Soccer League survival series when the curtain comes down on Sunday. The Lowveld side had a decent outing in their maiden season but a slip-up in their last two games against Highlanders and Shabanie Mine has seen them dropping from the top eight and are now in the relegation puzzle.
Triangle, however, have better chances of survival, together with Shabanie Mine, compared to the other four teams and are even fancying a return to the top eight if they can beat Chicken Inn in their last game at home.
Six teams — Shabanie Mine, Triangle, Hwange, Buffaloes, Black Rhinos and Black Mambas — will know their fate on the last day as one slot remains for relegation.
Four teams face the chop every year and already former champions Motor Action, Monomotapa and newboys Tripple B have been demoted.
“I have been in such a situation before but I don’t think we should be panicking because as things stand this really doesn’t have a big impact on us.
“That is why I am not talking about relegation. We are one of the teams in that puzzle that can easily survive even without winning on Sunday.
“A draw will also do for us and I don’t know if it is that easy for the other teams like Black Rhinos, Hwange and Black Mambas,” said Ntini.
Triangle find themselves sitting in an awkward position which makes them both relegation candidates and top eight campaigners.
Ntini’s side is currently on ninth place with 39 points, one behind eighth-placed Shabanie Mine who face Highlanders at Barbourfields on Sunday.
But the worrying factor is that Triangle are only two points better than Black Rhinos who are in the drop zone, which means in the event that all the four teams behind them win and they lose to Chicken Inn, the axe will fall on them.
“The main aim is to finish in the top eight although that was not originally one of our priorities. The main thing was to survive relegation in our first season but now we are faced with a situation where we can achieve something better,” said Ntini.
“We were on the right track but the game against Highlanders affected us a lot. We could have got one point from there. I have never seen such unfair treatment.
“Nine cautions including two red cards were issued out to my players and we ended up missing several of our players in the game against Shabanie Mine.
“As a result we played an understrength team and we lost again. But we have to work hard now to win our last match and with that we can easily get a top eight finish.”
Shabanie have a chance to finish in the top eight but they have a difficult task against title-chasing Highlanders away at Barbourfields.
Army side Black Rhinos, with 37 points, need an outright win against relegated side Monomotapa to better their chances of survival. Fellow soldiers Buffaloes, who have 38 points, face a tricky outing at FC Platinum.
But it is Mambas who appear to have the most daunting task as they square off with championship contenders Dynamos at Rufaro in their last game.
Mambas have 38 points and will also need an outright victory. But the police outfit will have to double their efforts since their opponents
Dynamos will also be out for maximum point to enhance chances of retaining the title.
DeMbare are second in the championship race with 51 point, two behind leaders Harare City.
Online Reporter