Onward Gangata
Zimpapers Sports Hub
FORMER Warriors striker Luke Jukulile Petros is one win away from leading another team into the Premiership.
It’s a feat he has already managed twice and is looking to do it for the third time.
Veteran coach Arthur Tutani leads the way after leading five different clubs into the domestic Premiership.
He did it with Sporting Lions, Mwana Africa, Black Rhinos, Monomotapa and Simba Bhora.
Bulawayo Chiefs coach, John Nyikadzino, is also another specialist having succeeded on four occasions with Chapungu (2013), Nichrut (2017), Sheasham (2022) and Bulawayo Chiefs (2025).
The late Lindile Dube did it three times with Railstars (2003), Zimbabwe Saints (2005) and Underhill (2007).
Jukulile-Petros, who won promotion as a coach twice with Whawha in 2014 and 2019, has a chance to make it three, tomorrow.
His Blanket Mine side need three points to secure promotion with two matches to spare.
They will become the first team among the four Division One leagues in the country to gain promotion.
A win against relegation threatened Shurugwi at Makusha is all Blanket Mine need.
Yet for Jukulile-Petros the team’s success comes far ahead of personal glory.
“Our approach remains the same, if you look at the way we have been winning matches,” he told the Zimpapers Sports Hub.
“It is a true testimony of our hard work and not underrating our opponents, we treat every team we play with respect.”
Blanket Mine currently have 77 points and a win will put their tally to an unassailable 81.
Kwekwe United are the closest in second place with 70 points, three games before the season ends.
Jukulile-Petros stressed that his charges are not under any form of pressure ahead of the weekend game.
“We have passed the level of putting pressure on our players, they know what is at stake and where we are coming from and where we want to reach in terms of the promotion race,” he said.
Fixtures: Tomorrow
Grain Tigers v Kwekwe United
Super Strikers v Chapungu
Shurugwi FC v Blanket Mine
Vhembe Stars Academy v Gwanda Pirates
Tongogara v Good Morning
Sabi Gold Mine v Dulibadzimu
ZRP Gwanda v Shabanie
FC Platinum U19 v West Nicholson
Matobo v MSU
