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Tadious Manyepo, Sports Reporter
NGEZI Platinum Stars can effectively drag themselves back into the championship picture with a win over log leaders Simba Bhora at Baobab this afternoon.
The Mhondoro miners’ title defence credentials are under the microscope with their erratic form a huge cause for concern as the race teeters towards the end.
A massive 14 points separate them from Simba Bhora who enjoy a nine-point cushion over second-placed FC Platinum with seven games before the curtain comes down on the season.
However, Ngezi, who have two outstanding games against Hwange and Dynamos can alter the detail a bit if they pick a win at Baobab today.
Further wins in their shelved pair of fixtures can then leave them only five points behind the Shamva club whose coach Tonderai Ndiraya returns to Mhondoro as a title-favourite for the first time, six years after he was axed by Ngezi for surrendering a comfortable lead at the top, late in the 2016 season.
And it is Ngezi, who can kick-start what will only be a catastrophe-sized capitulation for their former gaffer if Simba Bhora then fail to win what appears to be a championship that is firmly in their sight.
Takesure Chiragwi and his men have posted disappointing results in the aftermath of their CAF Champions League elimination, but they have all refused to concede the title is now beyond their reach.
“I think it is looking very difficult, but we can still fight for the championship and actually defend it,” said Chiragwi.
“Sometimes we have been unfortunate not to win certain matches which we dominate, but that is the nature of the game.
“I think Simba Bhora are in a very good space; they are consistent and winning really tough games.
“But we can as well put our act together and get back into contention.
“I think if we can stop Simba Bhora, we can have a good starting point. That is the point and aim.
“We will go into that match with a strong mentality and direction. We need those three points and we know we would have made a good first step to what will be our strategy to defend our crown.
“We only need to focus on ourselves; win as many games as we can and see what happens.”
Goalkeeper Nelson Chadya who is well on his way to becoming the first player to win two Goalkeeper of the Year awards inside three years with 14 clean sheets in 22 games said Ngezi need to put hands on the deck to be able to defend the title.
“What we need at the moment are solutions to the problems of our own.
“We haven’t been ourselves of late as we have lost a lot of points in games that we ordinarily should be winning,” said Chadya.
“But I don’t think it’s too late for us to get our act together.
“The match against Simba Bhora is very crucial. They are enjoying their game on top and we know what happens if we can stop them.
“But we know it will be a very difficult match because their confidence levels are up there. We are not going to surrender the title easily.”
While Ngezi be trying to neutralise Simba Bhora, another of Zimbabwe’s CAF inter-club representatives – Dynamos will also be trying to erase their disappointing Confederation Cup exit.
Dynamos will attempt to relaunch their top-four bid with a tussle against Herentals at Rufaro this afternoon.
This fixture is most likely going to be a close contest with both teams fighting for a top-four place, although Dynamos still have a mathematical chance of actually winning the title.
CAPS United will host Yadah Stars at Rufaro tomorrow while other title hopefuls FC Platinum and Manica Diamonds have equally key battles.
FC Platinum entertain Highlanders at Mandava this afternoon while Manica Diamonds will be away but at home against Bikita Minerals at Sakubva tomorrow.
Online Reporter