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Bruce Chikuni
HOSTS Chicken Inn are providing the menu for Ngezi Platinum this afternoon in a fixture, which will present their respective goalkeepers with a make-or-break moment at Barbourfields.
The two sides are already out of the reckoning for the championship title with only three games left before the end of the 2024 Castle Lager Premiership marathon.
Ngezi are 16 points behind leaders, Simba Bhora, who only need a point today against already-relegated Arenel Movers, who they visit at Luveve, to claim the championship title.
The Gamecocks who have endured an indifferent season, are even worse off as they are not in the top eight at the moment. Joey Antipas’ men sit ninth on the league table.
Despite there being little to play for in terms of the impact of the points on either side’s fortunes, those in the know about the significance of the Golden Glove, will definitely keep their eyes on Chicken Inn goalkeeper Donovan Bernard and his Ngezi counterpart Nelson Chadya.
Bernard is leading the Golden Glove race with 19 clean sheets, despite missing four fixtures of the campaign.
Chadya is breathing down on Bernard’s neck with 17, and Ngezi have a game in hand, which means they will be left with three games to play after today’s assignment.
Bernard was not in action last weekend when Chicken Inn suffered a surprise 1-2 loss at the hands of spirited Chegutu Pirates. He was nursing an injury, which he picked while on national duty.
Chadya was, however, in action but he spurned a chance to add to his tally when he was breached once in the 1-1 draw between Ngezi and Bikita Minerals.
Bernard is now racing against time to be fit again to play a role in Chicken Inn’s remaining games.
He also enjoys huge backing from his coach, Antipas, who is always telling anyone who cares to listen, the Gamecocks’ Number One is the best in the land.
Chicken Inn want to secure at least a top five finish.
Despite their struggles, the Gamecocks have been resolute in defence and they have conceded less goals – 22 – than any top 10 team on the log table.
“I will keep saying Bernard is the best goalkeeper in the country by a huge difference,” said Antipas.
“He has been our best player at this club for a long time and his consistency has been amazing.
“I don’t know what could have been our situation had it not been his goalkeeping skills, which helped us to manage goalless draws in some fixtures.
“He is one player who I feel deserves to go to foreign leagues but I guess he has to wait for his time, because he is one player every coach wishes to have.”.
Should Bernard hold on to his lead in the Golden Glove race, it will be his first time to get this gong.
And, it will also be a moment to celebrate in Bulawayo with the city now set to have a Golden Boot winner.
This is because Highlanders forward Lynoth Chikuhwa, has so far struck 15 goals and is three ahead of his nearest contenders – Khama Billiat (Yadah) and CAPS United’s William Manondo.
Fortunately for the Golden Boot race, it is a straight fight and the winner is confirmed by having the highest number of goals on the chart.
Given that the rules are different for the Golden Glove, Bernard and Chadya would have to wait for the verdict that will come when the media panel of experts, club coaches and captains cast their ballots.
But those who cast their votes in this process appear to be stuck with international standards where the award is naturally given to the goalkeeper with the cleanest sheets.
That was the case two seasons ago when FC Platinum won their fourth title.
Wallace Magalane played a key role for Norman Mapeza’s charges but the Golden Glove was won by Chadya, who had recorded most clean sheets that season.
In last year’s campaign, Highlanders skipper Ariel Sibanda won the accolade.
Sibanda ended the campaign with most shutouts despite Chadya playing a key role in helping Ngezi to secure their maiden PSL championship title.
If the pattern continues this season, it means whoever finishes with the most clean sheets at the end of the season is more likely to get the nod from the journalists, coaches and team captains when they cast their ballots.
leeroy