adminCHIREDZI FC will need something of a miracle for them to survive relegation from the top-flight league, while neighbours Triangle United will have to employ all tricks in the book if they are to entertain hopes of yet another dance in the domestic Castle Lager Premier League.
Such is the deplorable state of affairs in the Lowveld!
The promotion of Triangle into the top-flight league in 2013 and the subsequent promotion of Hippo Valley, rechristened Chiredzi FC, brought smiles on the faces of soccer-loving folks in the sugarcane farming area, but their joy seems short-lived as both teams are facing real danger of playing Division One football next season.
With Chiredzi on their way out of the Premiership after amassing a paltry 14 points from 23 matches and Triangle FC hanging by a thread after collecting 27 points – the same number of points with the team lying fourth from bottom – surely all is not well in the Lowveld.
Sponsors Tongat Hullet might have dumped the Hippo Valley project opting to remain with one team in Triangle, but things are still not working out as anticipated for Triangle albeit they have all the resources at their disposal.
Apart from trendy training facilities and a well- maintained pitch at Gibbo Stadium, investigations by this newspaper revealed that Triangle players get $300 winning bonus and a competitive salary of $400 at the end of each month, which all comes well on time.
With all these luxuries, results have somehow remained elusive for coach Biggie Zuze and his men.
On Sunday at Sakubva Stadium, Zuze conceded that pressure was mounting for them to ensure that they survive relegation.
“The results are not coming as we expected. We are coming from a heavy defeat and we have suffered yet another defeat here in Mutare.
“There are a lot factors that come into play and all we need is to regroup and map the way forward. We will focus on the next league match with the aim to get the valuable three points.
“It is too early to press the panic button, but obviously there is need to stop dropping points with each passing game so that we avoid relegation,” said Zuze.
His Chiredzi counterpart, Gishon Ntini, whose team also has to bear the brunt of operating on a shoestring budget after being let down by financier Tongaat, unconvincingly argued that it is not over until it is over.
“The truth about football is that one can never conclude anything before the match is played. Let us wait and see the outcome of the remaining matches. We will fight to survive and it is not over until it is over,” he said.
Chiredzi-based Zifa Eastern Region boss Piraishe Mabhena said it would be catastrophic for football in Chiredzi if both Traingle and Chiredzi were relegated at the end of the season.
“I am really worried about the performance of all the three teams that trace their roots to the Eastern Region namely – Chiredzi FC, Triangle United and Buffaloes. However, for Buffaloes and Triangle, it is better simply because they still have realistic chances of surviving relegation.
“For Triangle, yes they might survive, but their performance has not been what most of us expected. They improved after the July window period, but still there appears to be one or two areas that still need to be worked on. In fact, the next match for Triangle, the one against Harare City, will be some sort of decider for them. They cannot afford to continue on a free fall. They just have to collect points if they have to survive relegation. Otherwise, it would be really sad if both Triangle and Chiredzi FC were relegated,” he said.
Fixtures:
Friday (today): Bantu Rovers v Hwange (Hartsfield Grounds):
Saturday
How Mine v Chicken Inn (Hartsfield Grounds); FC Platinum v Buffaloes; Chapungu v Chiredzi iredzi (Ascot) Black Rhinos v CAPS United (Rimuka)
Sunday
Dynamos v Shabanie Mine (Rufaro); Triangle FC v Harare City (Gibbo); Highlanders v ZPC Kariba (Hartsfield).
Online Reporter