Andrew
Online Reporter
HIGHLANDERS have more than pride to play for when they clash with rivals Dynamos at the National Sports Stadium on Sunday.
To some, the match has now become a low-key ‘Battle of Zimbabwe’, especially after Dynamos surrendered the league title chase last weekend.
But it’s still game on for Highlanders, who are still chasing a top-four finish.
It would be a huge consolation for the Bulawayo giants who have been struggling to back up their big reputation with fitting performances in the league.
Bosso have not achieved a top-four finish since 2016.
However, there is renewed hope among their multitude of fans.
The last three games of the season, therefore, could be intriguing.
Highlanders currently occupy fourth position on the log with 49 points, one more than fifth- and sixth-placed Ngezi Platinum Stars and Triangle United, respectively.
Chibuku Super Cup finalists Herentals are seventh with 45 points, a point ahead of Black Rhinos, who complete the top eight.
So interesting is the top-four race that even Manica Diamonds, who occupy ninth position with 42 points, still have a mathematical chance of finishing amongst the elite quartet.
Bosso has a decent chance, given their recent form and performances of their key players.
Attacking midfielder Divine Mhindirira and roving wing-back Godfrey Makaruse could be influential in the former champions’ quest.
Both Mhindirira and Makaruse are also in the reckoning for places on the Castle Soccer Stars Calendar.
Mhindirira scored a brilliant goal when Highlanders edged Bulawayo Chiefs 1-0 at Barbourfields Stadium on Sunday.
The team’s top scorer Lynoth Chikuhwa, who currently sits on 10 goals, also seems to have recovered his touch.
Bosso will host relegation-haunted ZPC Kariba in the penultimate round of the season, before completing their campaign at Harare City, who are similarly fighting against demotion.
Resurgent Ngezi Platinum have also shown the pedigree needed to seal fourth place, behind champions FC Platinum, Dynamos and Chicken Inn.
The Mhondoro miners finished fourth in 2017 and are unbeaten in their last five league matches.
But Ngezi face a tricky assignment against another relegation-haunted outfit, Tenax, at Sakubva on Saturday.
With 11 points in their last five outings, Ngezi are the most consistent side among the teams chasing a top-four finish.
They will play Manica Diamonds away in Week 33 before closing their season at home against demoted WhaWha.
Sixth-placed Triangle, who have won their last two matches despite losing experienced coach Jairos Tapera to Manica Diamonds, date Cranborne Bullets at Vengere in Rusape on Sunday.
On the same day, Herentals meet Bulawayo Chiefs at Luveve in a dress rehearsal of the Chibuku Super Cup final.
Triangle’s last two matches of the season will be against champions FC Platinum at Gibbo and away at Chicken Inn.
Black Rhinos, who have struggled for consistency and registered just one win in their last five games, host Manica Diamonds at Vengere on Saturday.
Stanford “Stix’’ Mtizwa’s soldiers play WhaWha in Gweru during Match Day 33, before finishing their campaign at home against Bulawayo City.
Castle Lager Premier Soccer League Match Day 32 fixtures:
Saturday:
ZPC Kariba v Bulawayo City (Nyamhunga), Harare City v Whawha (National Sports Stadium), Chicken Inn v CAPS United (Luveve), FC Platinum v Yadah (Mandava), Black Rhinos v Manica Diamonds (Vengere)
Sunday:
Cranborne Bullets v Triangle United (Vengere), Bulawayo Chiefs v Herentals (Luveve), Dynamos v Highlanders (National Sports Stadium)
Online Reporter