adminRicky Zililo Sports Reporter
THE relegation clock is ticking fast and with each passing game, teams that are facing the chop from the Castle Lager Premier Soccer League are facing up to the reality of playing football in the lower rungs of the game. Already two clubs Tripple B and 2010 league champions Motor Action were relegated last week and are waiting for two more teams to join them as they leave the elite league for the unfashionable Division One.
Just the thought of changing under trees and playing on dusty grounds for some Division One Soccer League matches should send shivers down the spines of players whose teams are staring relegation and motivate them to fight so that they survive for another season.
The players are also aware that if they go down, they either have to take a salary chop or play for nothing at all.
With so many things to consider about going down to the unfashionable leagues, football enthusiasts should expect an intriguing last four rounds of matches.
At this stage there are no favours meaning that it’s each man for himself.
Three matches involving relegation threatened teams are lined up for the day with eighth placed Hwange taking on 10th on the log How Mine.
Both teams are tied on 35 points with the coalminers enjoying a superior goal difference.
How Mine coach Philani “Beefy” Ncube has told his charges to “shape up or ship out” after seeing them going down with identical 0-1 scorelines to Harare City at home and Caps United in Harare.
“We are approaching the end of the season and the players must know that if they do not perform in these last matches, then they will have no place in the team next season.
“What I am saying is I have challenged my players to fight for the result, work extra hard so that we get a positive result.
“We have to concentrate and make sure that we put away the chances that come our way,” said Ncube.
One of the players that How Mine will be hoping will rediscover his scoring boots is their leading striker Simba Sithole who has six goals to his name.
Sithole is competing for a starting place with seasoned players in the form of Nqobile Mpala, Qinani Sibanda, Simon Njeleza and Sizalobuhle Dube.
Veteran defender Gilbert Banda and Herbert Dick are expected to lead from the back and keep Hwange’s strikers, likely to be led by Gilbert Zulu, at bay.
The game is likely to be won in midfield where both sets of teams have equally good creative and defensive midfielders.
How Mine have the likes of evergreen Menard Mupera, Thembani Masuku, Warren Dube, Ocean Mpofu, dribbling wizard Timothy January, Eddie Nkulungo and Arnold Ndiweni.
The coalminers’ midfield is likely to be built around Andrew Chuma, former Soccer Star of the Year finalist Nkosana Siwela, Richard Jongwe, Farai Vimisai and Isaac Masame.
National team defender Eric Chipeta, who scored a spectacular goal against Chicken Inn a fortnight ago, Munyaradzi Mungadze and skipper Gerald Ndlovu, will marshal Hwange’s defence with Zulu, who has scored eight league goals, leading the attack.
Hwange’s coach Nation Dube said they are coming to Bulawayo for a positive result.
“We are very much prepared for the game. All the games that we are playing now are tricky and tough but we have to get positive results.
“We are not in the relegation zone but we are at a wrong place at a wrong time and the players know that since it is them that put us in this situation, they have to pull us out of this mess,” said Dube.
In other matches slated for the day, 12th placed Shabanie Mine will be at home to relegated Tripple B while Black Mambas and 2008 champions Monomotapa face off at Morris depot.
Fixtures
Today: How Mine v Hwange (Luveve), Black Mambas v Monomotapa (Morris Depot), Shabanie Mine v Tripple B (Maglas)
Tomorrow: Triangle United v Dynamos (Gibbo), Chicken Inn v FC Platinum (Luveve), Black Rhinos v Harare City (Rimuka), Motor Action v Highlanders (Rufaro), Buffaloes v Caps United (Sakubva)
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