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Eddie Chikamhi Sports Reporter
HARARE City coach Bigboy Mawiwi says his team will be guided by caution in their Castle Lager Premiership title chase as they go on a tricky mission to Rimuka against Black Rhinos on Sunday.
The Sunshine Boys are running neck-to-neck with leaders Dynamos in the championship race and Mawiwi reckons they need maximum points in their remaining four games against Rhinos, Motor Action, Highlanders and CAPS United to boost their chances of a maiden championship title.
City briefly took pole position last week after their victory over Buffaloes but were relegated into second place 24 hours later by Dynamos who took over at the summit on superior goal difference following the top-of-the-table victory over fellow contenders Highlanders.
Mawiwi believes their dream of winning the league title is possible although they are only playing in their second year of top-flight football.
The City coach, however, said they will have to take each game at a time as they come up against the army side in need of every point to breathe life into a faltering campaign to remain in the top-flight league.
Rhinos are currently sitting deep in the relegation zone.
Mawiwi said they will not take Rhinos lightly as the army side has been formidable at their Rimuka home ground this season.
“There are no easy games in the Premiership. Black Rhinos have been playing very well in the second half of the season, especially at their home ground.
“They have made Rimuka a fortress and it has been difficult for teams to win there. We need to concentrate until the last match,” said Mawiwi.
City’s options in defence have been severely limited as wingback Willard Kalongonda and central defenders Witness Nyamutsaka and Crispen Dickson are down with injuries.
Midfielder Godfrey Nguwodzawo is also a doubtful starter as he is nursing an injury.
Harare City are on 48 points, the same points tally as leaders Dynamos who face Triangle at Gibbo on Sunday.
Rhinos need the points as they are fourth-from-bottom with 30 points, two away from safety.
Mawiwi hinted there could be a change of the positions at the top again this week as Highlanders play relegated Motor Action while FC Platinum travel to Chicken Inn.
Highlanders are third on the log table with 47 points while FC Platinum are fourth with 45.
The platinum miners’ coach Lloyd Mutasa yesterday said they need to keep the pressure on the top three teams and are hoping to seize any opportunity that comes their way in the race.
“As you know it always gets tricky when you are getting to the finishing line. It sometimes gets tough and as I have said before the destiny of the championship is not in our hands.
“But if we can collect as many points as we can in our remaining games, then we will see where that could leave us at the end of the season,” said Mutasa.
The battle for survival is also getting tough at the bottom.
Already Motor Action and Tripple B have been demoted.
The Mighty Bulls host Highlanders at Rufaro while Tripple B travel to Shabanie Mine. Former champions Monomotapa’s fate may go beyond redemption tomorrow if they fail to collect maximum points against fellow relegation fighters Black Mambas at Morris Depot.
The 2008 league winners have had a difficult season and are currently six points below the drop zone, with four matches remaining.
Fixtures
Saturday
How Mine v Hwange (Luveve), Black Mambas v Monomotapa (Morris Depot), Shabanie Mine v Tripple B (Maglas)
Sunday
Triangle v Dynamos (Gibbo), Chicken Inn v FC Platinum (Luveve), Black Rhinos v Harare City (Rimuka), Motor Action v Highlanders (Rufaro), Buffaloes v CAPS United (Sakubva)
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