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Bruce Chikuni
Sports Reporter
MASHONALAND West will come to a standstill tomorrow when Chegutu Pirates welcome Herentals Under-20 at Pfupajena needing three points to secure promotion to the Premier Soccer League.
Mashonaland Central will also be following events in Chegutu closely as Black Mambas visit Trojan Mine at Shamva Mine as the ZIFA Northern Region Division One League concludes.
Chegutu Pirates, who also answer to the monikers Dzinza and Zaire, are expected to play before a sold-out Pfupajena.
At least over 7 000 tickets were reportedly sold last weekend at the same venue when they humbled former leaders Warumwa Warumwa 1-0.
That was all they wanted to claim the top drawer slot for the first time in the final lap of the campaign.
Their impressive goalie, Tendai Chirara, has outdone himself in this campaign.
He has kept 26 clean sheets and his defence has been breached just five times.
A clean sheet tomorrow will take his tally to 27, and no ‘keeper has come close to these figures in the league, and not even in the PSL.
The 19-year-old has been beaten just twice at Pfupajena in 15 fixtures.
He has been getting the golden shield from veteran defender, Reuben Machaya and Gibson Gaison.
Machaya also helped Simba Bhora to gain promotion last season and he will be desperate to achieve this feat with his hometown club.
Chirara said team spirit has been their driving force.
“We have to win this game and I think we also deserve this championship if you consider how we have battled to be where we are.
“It’s not been easy, but everyone knows what is at stake and we are all pulling in the same direction to get the job done.
“Our fans have given us enough moral support and we are going to give our best on Saturday to make this day memorable for them,” said Chirara.
Meanwhile, Herentals midfielder, Tinashe Mhuru, feels they are also expecting to wrap up this campaign with a positive result.
“Chegutu Pirates have been doing well and they have an intimidating crowd, but we have been there before. We know what it requires to stand the heat.
“We are targeting a top four finish and for us to hit that mark, we have to get a positive result tomorrow.
“Everyone is ready for this match, we are also not under any pressure and that’s our advantage,” said Mhuru.
Elsewhere, Arthur ‘Tuts’ Tutani’s reputation is at stake as his Shamva Mine could lose their league’s status should they fail to get the better of Ngezi Platinum developmental side tomorrow.
They are sitting 12th on the table, tied on 39 points with Karoi United and Chinhoyi Stars.
Omnia FC and ZRP FC have lost their league’s slots for next season with a game to spare.
Harare City are playing ZRP Harare at Morris Depot this afternoon and the outcome will have no impact as they have already secured their top three slot.
Online Reporter