adminEllina Mhlanga Sports Reporter
NORTHERN Region Division One Soccer League champions Ngezi Platinum will today receive their trophy following a successful campaign that saw them become the first side out of the country’s four regions to secure promotion into the Premiership in record time.
Ngezi won promotion with six games and three weeks of Division One action to spare.
What made their feat more remarkable is that coach Clifton “Somalia’’ Kadurira’s men never took their feet off the pedal from day one of the season as they led from the opening games to the finish.
Today they will be presented with the silverware as they become officially crowned the 2015 Northern Region Division One champions.
Kadurira said yesterday they were looking to complete their fine season in style by winning their clash against Dstv Rangers at Baobab this afternoon.
“We are still playing to win games and it will be good for us to win in front of our supporters. And we will be getting the trophy that we have been fighting for throughout the season.
“As a team we did well this season, we were on top of the log for most of the season, so we have to finish the season on a high note and we have to be professional.
“We still need to collect maximum points, we can’t give away points because we won the league before the end of the season,” said Kadurira.
It’s likely to be an exciting game as DStv, who are seventh will have all to play for as they seek to improve on their position and finish in a respectable position.
While it will be party time for leaders Ngezi, it will be a different story on the lower end of the table as there could sorrow for some teams.
For teams such as DC Academy, 16th on the log with 26 points, the season has been a tough one and they need a win in today’s game against Cargo Carriers to keep their hopes of surviving alive.
Their coach Gift Shangwa conceded that they are desperate for maximum points.
“It’s a must win game for us, so we will do our best, we will do all we can to win this game because if we lose we will be out.
“Looking at the morale in camp I think we have good chances to win but with soccer you don’t win by talking so we have to play and do well in the field of play.
“I still believe that we can survive. We don’t want to put ourselves under pressure so we will play our normal game,” said Shangwa.
Things are not looking good for Lake Harvest also and they need to up their game to ensure they secure a place in the First Division next season.
They are 15th with 35 points and they still stand as much a chance as Blue Jets who are a rung above them.
Lake Harvest coach, Stewart Murisa said he is confident they will come out of the murky waters by the time the seasoned ends but noted that tomorrow’s match against relegated Seven Flames is crucial.
“It’s a very crucial game for us and we have to win at all cost. Every game we play now is a cup final. We have to get the points. I am very positive we are going to survive. I think the boys are fighting,” Murisa said.
Fixtures:
Today
Ngezi v DStv Rangers (Boabab2:30pm), Blue Swallows v Karoi United (Manyame), ZRP FC v Darwin (Morris), Black Rhinos v Blue Jets (Commando), Mushowani v Starbill (Madziva/Chaminuka), Cargo Carriers v DC Academy (Gwanzura).
Tomorrow
Seven Flames v Lake Harvest (Commando), Herentals v ZRP Morris (NSS B Arena).
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