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Mandava tomorrow will have a strong bearing on the destiny of the championship.
The Mighty Bulls returned to the top of the log, on superior goal difference, while Harare giants Dynamos are also trying to have a big shout in the race.
Motor Action and FC Platinum are tied on 40 points while Highlanders are in third place with 34 points and DeMbare are a point behind Bosso.
Dynamos host Shabanie Mine at Rufaro tomorrow hoping to chalk up their second win in as many games under coach Callisto Pasuwa.
Pasuwa made a flying start last week when DeMbare ran out 4-1 winners over Shooting Stars.
Cuthbert Malajila made a return to action with a goal and the trusted gunslinger is once again expected to be on duty tomorrow.
But another newly-acquired striker Peter Ngwenya will have to wait a little longer before he makes his debut for the Glamour Boys.
Dynamos team manager Richard Chihoro said while the international transfer certificate for Ngwenya has been issued, the player will not be part of the squad.
“We got the clearance for Ngwenya but he will not be in the squad for the game against Shabanie Mine.
“He has not been training fully with the team as he sorted out some things,” said Chihoro.
The Dynamos team manager also revealed that veteran Desmond Maringwa underwent an operation on his tendon on Thursday.
“Desmond injured his tendon during the game against Motor Action.
“He was operated on yesterday (Thursday) and the doctors said it should be three months before he starts light training.
“We are talking about light training and not full training and that will be close to the end of the season.
“So I have to hear from the coaches on the player we should register in his slot,” said Chihoro.
The Dynamos team manager is hoping his players will register another positive result and remain in the hunt for the championship.
“We hope for some consistency after the last game,” said Chihoro.
But Shabanie should not be taken lightly although they have been poor travellers.
The asbestos miners held on for a 0-0 draw in the first fixture at Maglas but new coach Luke Masomere hopes to pull the rug from under Pasuwa’s feet.
But it is the game at Mandava that is the talk of the week.
Motor Action won the first leg 2-1 at the Motor Action Sports Club with Themba Ndlovu and Tawanda Nyamandwe scoring while Aleck Marime struck for the moneybags.
Back then, in Round 10, FC Platinum had Philani Mabhena as coach but they have since engaged Rahman Gumbo.
Gumbo has not had the best of results in his last two matches at Barbourfields where he was held to a 0-0 draw by Zimbabwe Saints before falling 1-0 to Highlanders at the same venue.
Now Gumbo will be happy to play away from BF but then there is the element of pressure when playing before an expectant home crowd and Motor Action coach Antipas is not expecting any easy match either.
“It’s going to be a very tight affair because FC Platinum are gonna come hard at us after their defeat to Highlanders,” said Antipas.
Antipas, however, says he remains calm ahead of the clash.
“FC Platinum will be seeking a win but we also have to remain calm although I know we are facing a wounded lion.
“We are playing away from home so it’s going to be tough but we have to give 100 percent effort,” said Antipas, who is also the Warriors assistant coach.
Motor have the best defence in the league as they have conceded nine goals and boast of being the only team still with single digit figures in terms of goals conceded.
But the Mighty Bulls coach is worried at their lack of potency in-front of goals.
“Our biggest undoing in the previous games has been the finishing.
“We have been creating a lot of chances but failing to score.
“I hope we should be able to get at least one goal,” said Antipas.
Motor Action will even be happy to escape with a draw while CAPS United could also count themselves lucky if they get a point in Hwange.
CAPS started well under Lloyd Chitembwe as they beat Kiglon 2-0 but Hwange are not smiling after a 2-0 defeat to Chicken Inn at Luveve.
Hwange have the bragging rights, after Tongai Mangwendere’s strike made the difference in the first half.
Tennat Chilumba, the Hwange coach, said his side will be missing Andrew Chuma in this game.
Fixtures
Today
Gunners v Zim Saints (Larfarge), Monoz v Shooting Stars (Rufaro), Kiglon v Blue Ribbon (Gwanzura)
Tomorrow
FC Platinum v Motor Action (Mandava), Dynamos v Shabanie (Rufaro), Hwange v CAPS (Colliery), Highlanders v Chicken Inn (BF), Masvingo v Black Mambas (postponed).Castle Lager Premiership Log
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