Andrew
Langton Nyakwenda
Sports Reporter
HIGHLANDERS, Ngezi Platinum Stars and Triangle have a mini-battle of their own that could make the last two weekends of the 2021-2022 Castle Lager Premier Soccer League season intriguing.
A couple of riveting duels are also on the cards, as basement teams fight for survival.
For Ngezi and Bosso, a top-four finish would be a consolation in a season they failed to mount a strong challenge for the championship.
On their part, Triangle survived a player exodus to force their way into the reckoning for a top-four spot.
All the three teams have a chance to join champions FC Platinum, Chicken Inn and Dynamos in the top four, which comes with a better prize money.
It, however, does not come with other benefits such as playing in elite continental competitions like the CAF Champions League or CAF Confederation Cup, as is the case in Europe.
This privilege is only enjoyed by the league champions and Chibuku Super Cup winners.
For Highlanders, finishing in the top four — a feat they last achieved in 2016 — would be quite an achievement.
They are currently fifth on the log with 50 points, one behind fourth-placed Ngezi, ahead of the penultimate round of fixtures.
Highlanders’ Brazilian coach, Brito, acknowledges that their bid for fourth place is no longer in the team’s hands.
“Now, it no longer depends on us only, but we want to finish on a high note and see what happens at the end,” Brito said.
Both Highlanders and Ngezi Platinum Stars have been two of the most consistent teams in the second half of the season.
Bosso, who host relegation-haunted ZPC Kariba at Barbourfields Stadium this afternoon, have had a stronger second half of the season.
The Bulawayo giants have picked up 27 points, four less than FC Platinum, since Week 18.
Sadly, they go into today’s match against ZPC Kariba without the services of reliable midfielder Divine Mhindirira, who is out through suspension.
Lynoth Chikuhwa, their leading scorer, is similarly out through suspension.
The duo got their third yellow cards when Highlanders drew 0-0 against Dynamos at the National Sports Stadium last Sunday.
On the other hand, Ngezi Platinum Stars are beaming with confidence after walloping Tenax 5-0 at Sakubva.
They increased their points tally to 26 points and are third behind FC Platinum and Highlanders on the second-half league table.
Ngezi have done remarkably well since Takesure Chiragwi took over as interim coach after Benjani Mwaruwari’s sacking.
They are unbeaten in their last eight games and talk at the Mhondoro miners is that Chiragwi might have done enough to convince the club’s executive that he is the right man for the job.
The young gaffer has previously served under Rodwell Dhlakama and Mwaruwari.
Ngezi have played 10 games since Chiragwi took over from Mwaruwari on July 25.
They have won six times, drawn thrice and lost once, raking in 21 points out of a possible 30, translating to an impressive 70 percent success rate for the Glen Norah-bred Chiragwi.
Ngezi visit Manica Diamonds at Sakubva knowing that a win will take them to 54 points.
They could seal another top-four finish with a game to spare should Highlanders fail to get maximum points against ZPC Kariba, who are fighting for survival.
ZPC Kariba lost 1-0 at home against another relegation candidate, Bulawayo City, but their coach Darlington Dodo is confident his charges will be ready for Bosso.
“That defeat against Bulawayo City was not good for us, especially at this juncture, but that is what the competition is all about.
“We have regrouped and so far, so good in terms of readiness for the match,” Dodo said.
Just like Ngezi’s Chiragwi, Triangle’s new gaffer, Thomas Ruzive, is also feeling good.
Triangle are yet to taste defeat since he took over from Jairos Tapera in early October. They have picked up seven out of nine points and are now on 49 points.
They have a mathematical chance of finishing fourth for a third time since 2013, when they were promoted into the top flight.
The Sugar Boys play their 255th Premiership tie when they host champions FC Platinum at Gibbo Stadium this afternoon.
“As Triangle, we are doing just fine; we have got no complaints because we also have a clean bill of health.
“As a coach, you always have targets; we are targeting to get four out of six points in our last two matches.
“That will be good for us, but we are not putting ourselves under any pressure.
“We are going to take each game as it comes,” said Ruzive.
Veteran striker Donald Ngoma, who has nine goals, has been key for Triangle, along with Russel Madamombe, the underrated Gerald Bhero and Emmaculate Mawuna.
Online Reporter