Innocent Kurira [email protected]
MANICA Diamonds coach Herbert Maruwa says his side will fight until the end to preserve their Castle Lager Premier Soccer League status, with their survival hopes hanging by a thread ahead of today’s clash against Highlanders at Barbourfields Stadium.
Maruwa admits the Mutare-based side are in trouble and must win their remaining matches while hoping teams around them drop points in the battle to avoid relegation.
“We are going to fight to the end. It’s a do-or-die game for us today, but we are in trouble. We need to make sure we get a positive result and hope other teams in our situation drop points. It’s no longer in our hands, so we have to make sure we win all our remaining games and see what happens,” said Maruwa.
Manica Diamonds are bottom of the table on 20 points and have managed just one victory away from home this season, leaving them with a difficult task against Highlanders.
Even maximum points from their remaining fixtures would take the Mutare side to only 32 points, meaning their fate also depends on results elsewhere.
Highlanders, meanwhile, have their own ambitions as they seek to finish as high as possible in their centenary season.
Bosso are eighth on 42 points, having met coach Benjani Mwaruwari’s target of ensuring the team does not get dragged into a relegation fight.
They will be looking to maintain their momentum and finish the campaign strongly, with a possible Chibuku Super Cup triumph also in their sights.
Highlanders head into the encounter seeking a response after their 1-0 defeat to Dynamos during their centenary celebrations.
However, Manica Diamonds’ desperate need for points could make them difficult opponents, with the visitors aware that every remaining match is crucial to their survival hopes.
