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Sikhumbuzo Moyo Senior Sports Reporter
DIVINE intervention seems to be the only thing that can see Monomotapa stay in the Castle Lager Premiership. The former league champions are pinning their hopes on the remaining three matches. Even their existence in the lower league does not seem guaranteed with reports that they are facing serious financial challenges that saw players getting a dollar each after their Chicken Inn and Dynamos matches.
The future looks bleak for them.
The 2008 local league champions need to score a minimum of 19 goals in their next three games and hope that the likes of Buffaloes, Black
Mambas and Hwange do not pick up a point in their last three games as well. No rocket scientist is needed to tell that it’s almost impossible for Monomotapa to score the required number of goals in three games when they have only managed 25 in 27 matches. It is also unlikely that the other teams will fail to pick up points.
Monomotapa lost their weekend match to Black Mambas 1-3.
The team under former Dynamos son Biggie Zuze will end the season on 35 points if they win all their remaining matches against How Mine at home, away to Buffaloes and home to Black Rhinos. What compounds their situation is that all their opponents are also fighting to survive in the elite league.
If relegated, Monomotapa will join former champions Gunners (2009) and Motor Action (2010).
Head coach Zuze seems to have accepted their fate and is already looking forward to playing Division One football which he said was more demanding.
“My friend we do not need to lie to each other here, the situation for us is just impossible, it’s a tall order for the team. It all went terribly wrong for us from the start with the issue of sponsorship not certain and I can tell you that our boys never enjoyed any winning bonuses throughout the year,” said Zuze.
He said even now, it was not clear whether the team would see life in Division One as no one was claiming ownership of the team.
“Most of the players are still contracted to the team and were really giving it their best. I cannot even say for certain that I will be with the team in Division One next year,” said Zuze.
How Mine put their survival fight back on track when they beat Hwange 1-0 at Barbourfields Stadium to take their points tally to 38 and need three points in their last three games to secure a place in the elite league next year. Stuttering Highlanders failed to beat their bogey side Motor Action thereby failing to take advantage of their rivals Harare City and Dynamos’ failure to collect maximum points in their matches against Black Rhinos and Triangle respectively.
The Bulawayo giants are still to play Harare City at Rufaro Stadium. This weekend will be a super Sunday as Dynamos will be in the City of Kings to play Chicken Inn and the results will probably decide the league winners.
Meanwhile, the country’s leading marksman Tendai Ndoro has set himself a 20-goal tally come end of the season.
“I need to get to 20, that’s my target and I am still hopeful that I will reach the target, despite having only three games before the season ends,” said the on-loan striker soon after their 2-0 defeat of FC Platinum at Luveve Stadium on Sunday.
He scored his 16th goal and team’s opener from the spot in the 22nd minute after veteran Mkhokheli Dube was fouled inside the box by big defender Daniel Vheremu.
Results at a glance Week 27
Sunday: Triangle United 2, Dynamos 2; Chicken Inn 2, FC Platinum 0; Black Rhinos 0, Harare City 0; Motor Action 1, Highlanders 1; Buffaloes 0, Caps United 1
Saturday: How Mine 1, Hwange 0; Black Mambas 3, Monomotapa 1; Shabanie Mine 3, Tripple B 2
Log standings
P W D L F A Pts
Dynamos 27 13 10 4 38 19 49
Harare City 27 13 10 4 37 23 49
Highlanders 27 14 6 7 41 22 48
FC Platinum 27 13 6 8 34 25 45
Caps United 27 13 6 8 36 29 45
Triangle 27 10 9 8 41 32 39
Chicken Inn 27 11 7 9 34 30 39
How Mine 27 11 5 11 24 29 38
Shabanie Mine 27 10 6 11 30 34 36
Hwange 27 9 8 10 33 30 35
Black Mambas 27 10 5 12 32 33 35
Buffaloes 27 10 5 12 37 39 35
Black Rhinos 27 7 10 10 28 33 31
Monomotapa 27 6 8 13 25 44 26
Motor Action 27 3 10 14 17 34 19
Tripple B 27 4 7 16 23 51 19
Bongani Ndlovu
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