Chronicle Editor
Ricky Zililo, Senior Sports Reporter
FC Platinum are 14 points away from claiming a fourth consecutive Castle Lager Premier Soccer League title after traditional giants, Dynamos stuttered at the weekend, allowing the defending champions to open an eight-point lead.
The platinum miners went into the weekend enjoying a six-point lead over second-placed Dynamos and their 2-1 away win at Whawha saw them stretch their lead at the summit to eight as DeMbare allowed Black Rhinos to equalise at the last gasp on Sunday. Rhinos held Dynamos to a 1-1 draw, a result that gave a huge knock to Harare giants’ title charge.
FC Platinum are now on 58 points from 27 games and need just 14 points to claim the championship with seven matches left.
Second-placed Dynamos can only end the season with 71 points if they win all their remaining matches.
It will take an unexpected drop in form by FC Platinum to allow Dynamos to claw back into the title race.
FC Platinum are smelling the scent of a victorious season, with their confidence growing with each passing game and are unlikely to allow anything to dent their title aspirations.
The Zvishavane side are on a 14-match unbeaten streak, a run that has seen them winning 11 matches and playing to three draws since their last defeat to Herentals on April 30 when they lost 1-0 in Harare.
Buoyed by an impressive run, good performances from goalkeeper Wallace Magalane who has kept 12 clean sheets in the last 14 outings, only conceding two goals during this period, defender Lawrence Mhlanga, underrated midfielder Brian Banda as well as forward Walter Musona, FC Platinum look unstoppable.
They are left with four home games against Bulawayo City, Herentals, Yadah and Cranborne Bullets. FC Platinum will travel to Highlanders, Caps United and Triangle United.
DeMbare’s remaining outings are against Ngezi Platinum Stars at home, away to Manica Diamonds, Whawha (home), a trip to Bulawayo City, Highlanders (home), Herentals (away) and wrap the season against Caps United.
At the tail end, time is running out for the Harare City, Bulawayo City, Tenax CS FC and Whawha who occupy the four relegation slots as they failed to pick maximum points.
Harare City, tied on 24 points with Bulawayo City played to a 0-0 draw against ZPC Kariba, while the latter surrendered a 1-0 lead to lose 2-1 at home to Cranborne Bullets.
Tenax, on 22 points held Caps United to a goalless draw. Whawha remained stuck on 20 points following their 2-1 home defeat to FC Platinum.
PSL matchday 27 results
Friday: Herentals 0-0 Yadah
Saturday: Bulawayo City 1-2 Cranborne Bullets, Ngezi Platinum Stars 1-0 Bulawayo Chiefs, Whawha 1-2 FC Platinum, Harare City 0-0 ZPC Kariba
Sunday: Highlanders 2-0 Triangle United, Black Rhinos 1-1 Dynamos, Caps United 0-0 Tenax
Table
P W D L F A GD Pts
FC Platinum 27 17 7 3 40 9 31 58
Dynamos 27 14 8 5 30 13 17 50
Chicken Inn 26 13 6 7 32 25 7 45
Highlanders 27 11 11 5 36 22 14 44
Herentals 27 10 11 6 29 23 6 41
Ngezi Platinum 27 10 10 7 31 13 18 40
Manica Diamonds 26 9 12 5 29 22 7 39
Black Rhinos 27 9 12 7 29 24 5 39
Triangle United 27 10 9 8 31 27 4 39
Bulawayo Chiefs 27 9 9 8 23 23 0 36
Cranborne Bullets 27 10 4 9 28 36 -8 34
Yadah 27 7 11 13 22 25 -3 32
Caps United 27 7 10 9 26 33 -7 31
ZPC Kariba 27 6 10 11 13 21 -8 28
Harare City 27 4 12 11 15 24 -9 24
Bulawayo City 27 6 6 11 20 36 -16 24
Tenax 27 5 7 15 17 44 -27 22
Whawha 27 5 5 17 23 49 -26 20
— @ZililoR
Online Reporter