dyton mupawaenda
Fungai Muderere-Sports Reporter
NGEZI PLATINUM will have one hand on the Castle Lager Premier Soccer League title if they win at home to newcomers Sheasham this afternoon as rivals lost ground over the weekend.
The Premiership enters Game 31 this afternoon with potentially exciting ties set to be played at seven different venues around the country while two other ties are set for tomorrow.
Victory at Baobab this afternoon will leave Ngezi Platinum needing a maximum of three points from three matches.
Rivals failed to capitalise when Ngezi Platinum Stars suffered a shock defeat at the hands of Nation Dube’s Hwange FC at the Colliery on Sunday and they emerged from the weekend with a healthy seven-point lead.
Ngezi Platinum Stars FC lead the log standings with 57 points and they face tricky Construction Boys, who are placed on number 13th with 34 points.
The Construction Boys gaffer Lizwe Sweswe, who has proved to be a good tactician, has predicted a tough encounter.
“We will need to go with a good mindset. It’s a tricky game against a title chasing side. We are not yet safe from relegation so will need to grind a positive result,” said Sweswe, a former Bulawayo Chiefs, Tsholotsho and FC Platinum gaffer.
At Mandava, defending champions FC Platinum host title chasing Dynamos in what might turn out to be an epic battle for the runners-up ticket.
FC Platinum and Dynamos are both tied on 50 points.
Dynamos go into the match after dropping five points in their last two matches against Manica Diamonds (0-1) and Black Rhinos (0-0).
FC Platinum mentor Norman Mapeza emphasised that they will need to finish the season stronger.
“We take each game as it comes. You will never know with football but we will fight on,” said the ex-Warriors captain and coach.
Bulawayo’s Luveve Stadium will be the venue for the game between former league champions Chicken Inn and Greenfuel.
Gamecocks have found the race getting harder as they have continued to be eluded by positive results.
Hwange have a date with Luke Masomere’s ZPC Kariba at Nyamhunga Stadium while Herentals College welcome struggling Cranborne Bullets at the National Sports Stadium.
Jairos Tapera’s Manica Diamonds will seek to rediscover their winning formula when they face Simba Bhora at Gibbo Stadium
Tomorrow, Triangle United will entertain inconsistent Highlanders in another match that will be played at Gibbo Stadium.
Former Cup Kings, CAPS United have a home tie against Bulawayo Chiefs at the National Sports Stadium.
Week 31 Fixtures
Today
Chicken Inn v Greenfuel ( Luveve Stadium), Manica Diamonds v Simba Bhora (Gibbo Stadium), Herentals v Cranborne Bullets (National Sports Stadium), FC Platinum v Dynamos (Mandava Stadium), ZPC Kariba v Hwange (Nyamhunga Stadium), Ngezi Platinum Stars v Sheasham (Baobab Stadium)
Tomorrow
Triangle United v Highlanders (Gibbo Stadium), CAPS United v Bulawayo Chiefs
(National Sports Stadium)
Latest Standings
P W D L F A PTS
NGEZI PLATINUM 30 17 6 7 38 19 57
DYNAMOS 30 13 11 6 33 13 50
MANICA DIAMONDS 30 14 8 8 37 21 50
FC PLATINUM 30 14 8 8 33 25 50
HIGHLANDERS 30 12 13 5 21 18 49
HERENTALS COLLEGE 30 12 9 9 33 27 45
CHICKEN INN 30 10 14 6 31 22 44
HWANGE 30 11 7 12 23 25 40
SIMBA BHORA 30 9 12 9 27 22 39
CAPS UNITED 30 9 11 10 28 26 38
GREENFUEL 30 10 8 12 22 29 38
BULAWAYO CHIEFS 30 9 9 12 31 33 36
SHEASHAM 30 7 13 10 17 27 34
YADAH 30 10 4 16 30 41 34
ZPC KARIBA 30 9 6 15 20 45 33
TRIANGLE 30 5 16 9 21 31 31
BLACK RHINOS 30 6 11 13 22 32 29
CRANBORNE BULLETS 30 6 8 16 14 25 26
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