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Sports Reporter
IS 40 years of pain, and waiting, finally coming to an end?
For the people of Mashonaland West Province, it appears, that could be the case.
Only 10 games remain between them and the grand celebrations of finally having a football club from their province, winning the domestic league championship.
Ngezi Platinum Stars have their destiny in their hands and find themselves four points clear at the top the table.
Should they go on and win the championship, Ngezi will have succeeded where the likes of Rio Tinto and Mhangura failed.
Both Rio Tinto and Mhangura have special places in the history of local football but, despite their spirited efforts, they failed to lend the big one.
Ironically, this is the 40th anniversary of the year when one of the two flagship clubs from a province, which calls itself Mash Best, came closest to winning the championship.
That was in 1983.
Rio Tinto, under the guidance of John Rugg, went toe-to-toe with Dynamos, matching the Glamour Boys punch for punch.
However, a rare 0-1 loss to Black Aces at Chemukute Stadium, their first home defeat since April the previous year, had devastating consequences.
At the end of the campaign, Rio Tinto had the same number of points as Dynamos (36) but the Glamour Boys won it by virtue of having a better goal difference.
It was the first domestic championship race to be decided this way.
Now, 40 years later, Ngezi Platinum Stars have a golden chance to finally win it for Mash Best.
1983 FINAL TOP THREE
TEAM P Pts
1.Dynamos 26 36 (GD +36)
2.Rio Tinto 26 36 (GD +26)
3.Gweru United 26 30
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