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Langton Nyakwenda-Sports Reporter
ON average, 39 points have been enough to save a team from relegation since 2017, when the number of clubs in the Castle Lager Premier Soccer League was increased to 18.
Bulawayo City and Chapungu finished on 39 points and survived the chop in 2017 and 2018 respectively.
Yadah, who have battled against relegation demons in the last three consecutive seasons, needed 41 points to survive in 2019.
But 37 points were still good enough for The Miracle Boys during the 2021/2022 race.
Last season, Walter Magaya’s club needed a last-gasp win against Dynamos to reach the 40-point mark.
The Premier Soccer League survival series is on once again, with a host of clubs embroiled in a tough battle against relegation.
Mathematically, 12 teams including giants Dynamos and CAPS United are not safe from relegation, going into the last six rounds of the 2024 Castle Lager Premier Soccer League race.
Dynamos, CAPS United, and Herentals are all on 38 points, one shy of the average number of points needed to survive.
This paints a bleak future for Chegutu Pirates, who are bottom and have 20 points from 28 matches, as they can only get to 38 points if they win their last six matches.
Bulawayo Chiefs (30 points), Hwange (27) and Arenel Movers complete the bottom four.
Philani Ncube
TelOne moved out of the relegation zone for the first time in a long time when they edged Chegutu Pirates 1-0 at Baobab last weekend.
That victory came on the back of a 6-1 thumping of Bikita Minerals, the biggest win of the season.
The Wi-Fi Boys, who are led by Herbert Maruwa, are now on 32 points, and two clear of the murky waters.
They are tied with GreenFuel, who posted a crucial 1-0 win at ZPC Kariba last weekend.
Bikita Minerals, who are win-less in the last four rounds, are on 31 points, and three points behind 10th placed ZPC Kariba.
Yadah are eleventh, with the same number of points as ZPC Kariba.
Realistically, nine teams — ZPC Kariba, Yadah, TelOne, GreenFuel, Bikita Minerals, Bulawayo Chiefs, Hwange, Arenel Movers, and Chegutu Pirates are the actors in this year’s survival series.
With 10 points in their last five games, Hwange have the best run amongst the relegation-threatened teams.
Chegutu Pirates have the worst return, with one point out of a possible 15 under veteran coach Maxwell Takaendesa Jongwe who was appointed in August.
The veteran coach is credited for saving Yadah last season but he feels the Chegutu Pirates assignment is daunting.
“It’s quite difficult,” he says.
“But we remain hopeful, I as long as we remain mathematically with a survival chance,” he added.
Troubled Chegutu Pirates host Bikita Minerals at Baobab on Sunday.
On the contrary, TelOne have shown some strong signs they could escape the axe, with two consecutive wins including a record 6-1 bashing of Bikita Minerals on Match Day 27.
The Wi-Fi Boys host defending champions Ngezi Platinum Stars at Ascot tomorrow. “It is going to be a close game for both teams because every team is playing for a reason.
“We are playing to move away from relegation and they are playing for the championship,” TelOne coach, Maruwa, told Zimpapers Sports Hub.
Herbert Maruwa
“We need to make sure we remain focused and keep our winning streak intact for us to survive the chop,” added Maruwa.
While TelOne have been moving up, Bulawayo Chiefs have been going the opposite and now occupy the last relegation slot.
The Ninja Boys have three draws and two losses in their last five games.
But coach Thulani Sibanda is convinced his team will survive.
“What I am sure of is that we will be playing Premiership football next season,” he said. Bulawayo Chiefs host Herentals in a tricky encounter at Luveve tomorrow.
Hwange, who have posted some impressive results under Rodwell Dhlakama, welcome FC Platinum at Colliery on Sunday.
They have three wins against Chegutu Pirates, Chicken Inn, and CAPS United plus a draw against Arenel Movers.
Their only loss in the last five rounds was against Herentals in Harare.
Online Reporter