Premiership race hots up

Tedious Manyepo and Faith Mutema

HARARE giants Dynamos, still harbouring hopes of reclaiming the Castle Lager Premiership title they last won in 2014, have sharpened their arrows for Chapungu whom they seek to bring down at Rufaro tomorrow. The Glamour Boys are fifth on the log standings with 32 points, 11 behind pacesetters FC Platinum with 29 more points still at stake.FC Patinum’s poor run on home turf at Mandava has given their rivals in the chasing pack reason to believe that Norman Mapeza’s men can yet be deposed from top spot.

Dynamos assistant coach Murape Murape believes DeMbare can find a way to climb to the top and snatch the title from under the noses of their rivals.

“We are looking forward to the game against Chapungu. We still feel that we can win the league title if we can collect as many points as we can in our remaining fixtures.

“The race is still wide open and anything can happen. Who knows, we can end up being champions,” said Murape.

DeMbare’s opponents are no push overs although as coach John Nyikadzino has expressed his team’s desire to win the match tomorrow to keep alive their hopes for a top-six finish.

The Week 22 program is laced with a number of potentially explosive fixtures.

At Nyamhunga this afternoon leaders FC Platinum face another tough test of their staying power at the top when they visit ZPC Kariba in a match, which could change the complexion of the championship race.

Resurgent ZPC Kariba have cut the gap between FC Platinum and them and Sunday Chidzambwa and his men have forced themselves bag into the reckoning.

Interestingly, FC Platinum could also lose their advantage at the top of the table if they allow ZPC Kariba to come out with full points as a win for CAPS United who play Triangle at Gibbo tomorrow, would mean the Green Machine draw level on points and it would only need goal difference to separate them.

Elsewhere, Highlanders who started the campaign like a house on fire have declared war on basement side Border Strikers whom they meet at Dulivhadzimu tomorrow as they bid for the title which coach Erol Akbay has said is still within his team’s reach.

“We have that winning mentality back now. We were unfortunate in our past games where we lost or drew to allow FC Platinum to open an eight point gap ahead but I believe the championship race will be won on the final day of the marathon and I strongly believe Highlanders will win.

“The game against Border Strikers will be tough as they will be fighting for points to ease their relegation worries but we also need the points to win the championship,” said Akbay.

While Dynamos, FC Platinum, ZPC Kariba, Highlanders and CAPS United will be out to challenge for the championship, it will be a different story at the bottom half of the table where some teams are targeting decent finishes to the campaign while others will continue with their fight for survival.

Harare City coach Moses ‘Bambo’ Chunga has declared that he is going all out to win the match against Ngezi Platinum Stars as he angles a top-four finish.

His charges entertain Ngezi Platinum at Rufaro this afternoon in a match which could go either way.

Since arriving at Harare City in June as a replacement for the sacked Taurai Mangwiro in June, Chunga has been preferring to use young players ahead of seasoned ones in a move widely blamed for the Sunshine Boys’ inconsistent form.

But a defiant Chunga has been defending his strategy.

“I can safely say my nursery has now come of age and the fruits are there for everyone to see.

“We are out to finish the league on a high note and in the top four if we just maintain the form which we have picked.

“The game against Ngezi Platinum is a must-win on our part. We are however aware of the threat posed by our opponents,” said Chunga.

Meanwhile, wounded Mutare City Rovers who are fresh from a 1-4 hiding at the hands of title chasing CAPS United last weekend are out to lift themselves up and brighten their survival hopes when they play Bulawayo City at Babourfields.

Coach Taku Shariwa has declared it a must-win tie.

Mutare City were docked three points last week for using a suspended player Kudakwashe Gurure in their match against FC Platinum.

Relegation-haunted Tsholotsho make a short trip to Luveve for a Bulawayo derby against How Mine.

Fixtures:

Today

Bulawayo City v Mutare City (Babourfields)

ZPC Kariba v FC Platinum (Nyamhunga)

How Mine v Tsholotsho (Luveve)

Harare City v Ngezi Platinum (Rufaro)

Tomorrow:

Dynamos v Chapungu (Rufaro)

Triangle United v CAPS United (Gibbo)