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KINGS face a tricky encounter when they take on Entumbane in a Bulawayo Pool Association (BPA) Premier League match at Sport Inn Bar today. Kings missed a chance to be level on points with log leaders Entumbane after they suffered a shock 5-8 defeat to Xtreme on Wednesday.
Entumbane are leading the standings with 51 points while Kings are second with 48 with Xtreme trailing the pack with 39 points.
Kings coach Max Shava described the game between the top two teams as a do-or-die encounter.
“It’s a must-win for us so that we keep our chances of winning the title alive. In the event we lose our opponents will open a six-point gap,” said Shava.
He said they had high hopes of bouncing back after defeat by Xtreme in their mid-week fixture.
“We are training hard because we want to win this game,” said Shava.
Kings missed their key players such as Norman Moyo and Allan Nyamugure in their last game.
Entumbane are seeking to consolidate their lead at the top.
Extreme entertain ZRP Central while Black Eagles play host to Golden Lions.
Bottom placed Fallstaff take on sixth placed Exchange which is under the guidance of Peter Dziko.
In the lower division, they will be a double header to clear the backlog after the tournament which was held at Joe’s Place last weekend.
Meanwhile, over 200 pool players will today descend on Middle Bar in Mkoba for this year’s edition of the provincial Black Ball Carling Black Label Challenge.
The tournament which has been on the pool calendar in the province for the past six years will this year be sponsored to the tune of $1 000 by the traditional sponsors, Delta Beverages which will see the best eight men and six women qualifying for the finals to be held in Bulawayo on 21 September.
The winner of the provincial tournament in the men’s category is set to walk away with $200 with the losing finalist taking $125 while the second runner-up is set to collect $100.
The losing semi-finalist is set to collect $75 while those between fifth and eighth place will take home $50 each.
In the women’s category, the winner is set to walk away $100 richer while the first runner-up gets $75 and the third best player will walk away with $50.
Those in position fourth and sixth will take home $25 each.
MPL chairman, Paul Mukwembi speaking at a press conference ahead of the competition on Thursday said preparations for the pool jamboree were in place.
“We are waiting for the weekend so that we can kick off the challenge as everything is now in place. This year the prizes for the provincial tournament are bigger and better and I am confident that the best players will emerge from this tournament who will represent us well in Bulawayo,
“Having the biggest league in the country with 52 teams makes us favourites at this year’s tournament and unlike last year when we had only Russell Washaya in the top eight, this year we are looking at having at least three players” he said.
Fixtures
Premier League
Entumbane v Kings, Black Eagles v Golden Lion, Gold and Black v Mnethi, Exchange v Falstaff, ZRP Central v Xtreme, Nkulumane v Heroes, Raylton v Donnington, One v Skittle Inn.
Division One
Today
West Commonage v Egodini, Nketa Tavern v Drill Hall, Bambi Lounge v Ntabazinduna, Jika Jika v Shumba, Mqomboti v UBH, Ntabeni v TelOne Dragons, Mpilo v Nketa 8, Metropolis v Kugona, Msindo v Fast Cash, Marula v Nketa Stars.
Tomorrow
Shumba v West Commonage, Egodini v Drill Hall, Bambi Lounge v Ntabeni, Nketa Stars v Nketa 8, Mpilo v Ntabazinduna, Jika Jika v TelOne Dragons, Mqombothi v Kugona, Nketa Tavern v Fast Cash, UBH v Msindo, Marula v Metropolis.
Online Reporter