dyton mupawaenda
Eddie Chikamhi-Senior Sports Reporter
NGEZI Platinum face the strongest test on their Castle Lager Premiership title ambitions when they face defending champions FC Platinum in a crucial contest at Mandava this afternoon.
The Mhondoro side, under the tutelage of Takesure Chiragwi, are the current favourites after opening a six-point cushion at the top of the table. With 51 points in the bag, going into the last nine games of the season, Ngezi Platinum Stars appear vote have their fate in their own hands as nearest rivals Highlanders, on 46 points, have been floundering with each and every passing week.
Ngezi Platinum Stars go into the battle on the back of an impressive run with four straight wins in their recent outings.
They have flexed their muscle, scoring an average two goals per game after pumping in eight goals and conceding none in those matches against Manica Diamonds (1-0), GreenFuel (3-0), ZPC Kariba (3-0) and Black Rhinos (1-0).
Even when the going got tough, they have managed to grind results like they did in the win over Rhinos during the midweek, with Delic Murimba’s strike assuring maximum points and drifting them further away from the competition at the top.
They have benefitted from consistent performances from players such as Takunda Benhura, Gareth Madhake, Kudzai Chigwida, and inspirational captain, Qadr Amini.
But they face a tough hurdle on the away trip to Mandava, where they are set to face four-time champions FC Platinum who have shot back into the picture in this year’s title race in a dazzling manner.
The Zvishavane platinum miners have had a second half surge in the 2023 campaign and are now sitting third in the race with 43 points, eight behind their leading platinum mine-powered rivals.
But the question is: can Ngezi Platinum Stars complete a double over the hosts, who they beat 2-0 in the first round fixture?
It looks an interesting match-up. Just like Ngezi Platinum Stars, FC Platinum have won their last four matches in impressive manner to raise their hand in the championship matrix where giants Dynamos and Highlanders and ambitious Mutare side Manica Diamonds have been vying in contention.
Norman Mapeza’s men are coming from a statement win at Manica Diamonds where they claimed a 2-1 win during the midweek, thanks to a brace from midfielder Juan Mutudza.
The Zvishavane side will again look up to inspirational performances from the midfielder, as well as from key players Walter Musona, Nomore Chinyerere, Jarrison Selemani, Perfect Chikwende and Thandolwenkosi Ngwenya.
Pure Platinum Play will reduce the gap between them and Ngezi to six points with a win. The two sides have met five times in the league at Mandava since Ngezi Platinum Stars’ promotion in 2016.
Ngezi have one league win in Zvishavane against FC Platinum. All in all, the two teams have clashed 11 times in the league since 2016.
FC Platinum have five wins, Ngezi have three, while the other three matches ended in draws.
DeMbare, Bosso out to rekindle title ambitions:
Despite experiencing mixed fortunes in their recent outings, giants Dynamos and Highlanders could still count themselves in the race for this year’s title if they start winning consistently.
Highlanders, winless in their last two assignments, will travel to Baobab today to face new boys Simba Bhora while DeMbare have a tricky date with bogey side Herentals at the National Sports Stadium tomorrow.
Bosso would need to turn around their fortunes if they want to reclaim control of the race and reignite their chances of ending a 17-year league title drought. They have only won one of their last five games and lost three.
They had to come from behind during the midweek to rescue a point against newcomers Sheasham at Barbourfields.
Dynamos on the other hand fired blanks at Triangle as they went 11 points behind log leaders Ngezi Platinum Stars, with nine games remaining in the campaign.
Alarm bells at CAPS Utd:
Fellow giants CAPS United have a tricky away match to Hwange, where they need nothing short of a win to escape the relegation matrix.
Makepekepe have not won in their last 10 league games and alarm bells should be ringing louder in their camp. The Green Machine succumbed to a morale-sapping 1-2 defeat to Yadah during the midweek which left them wallowing in the relegation zone.
They are only separated by goal difference with the team occupying the last spot of safety. Lloyd Chitembwe’s men last won a league match on July 15 when they dismissed GreenFuel 2-0 at Bata.
Fixtures:
Today: FC Platinum v Ngezi Platinum Stars (Mandava), Chicken Inn v Manica Diamonds (Luveve), Simba Bhora v Highlanders (Baobab), Black Rhinos v ZPC Kariba (Bata)
Tomorrow: Hwange v CAPS Utd (Colliery), Dynamos v Herentals (NSS), Yadah v Triangle (Baobab), GreenFuel v Cranborne Bullets (GreenFuel Stadium), Sheasham v Bulawayo Chiefs (Bata)
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