Online Reporter
Curtworth Masango
Zimpapers Sports Hub
FOR all the ambitions that greeted their arrival on the Castle Lager Premier Soccer League scene in February 2023, GreenFuel face the grim reality of sliding back into the Eastern Region’s Division One.
But the mood at the Chisumbanje outfit is not one of a side that is about to give in.
And their midfielder Garikai Dematsika yesterday issued a defiant battle cry ahead of their sink or swim Manicaland derby clash against rivals Triangle at the GreenFuel Arena in Chisumbanje on Sunday.
The clash between GreenFuel and Triangle of one of the key fixtures of the Premiership’s Survival Sunday.
With the ill-conceived bid by the PSL governors to scrap 2025 relegation being correctly shot down by ZIFA, GreenFuel and Triangle know they must determine their fate on the field of play on Sunday.
PSL club chiefs had on Tuesday afternoon violated the league’s constitution and competition rules when conspiring to try and stop relegation in a ridiculous resolution plucked from hell.
Now after that mockery was stopped, it is back to Match-day 34 battles where only a victory guarantees survival in the elite league for either side.
And Garikai, whose father Lloyd Dematsika starred for Black Rhinos in the Premiership is confident GreenFuel will swim their way to safety, more so in front of their home fans.
“We will turn our fortunes around, there is belief and trust in the squad that we can pull out this one,” said Garikai Dematsika.
The season-long struggles condense into 90 minutes, where anything less than a win spells disaster. The fight for survival is now a single, desperate battle.
“It all goes in the final 90 minutes. It needs heart and mental strength.
“We have to fight and battle for the good cause. It can be done, but we are working to be at our best on the day,” he said.
Dematsika believes the squad is prepared to work as a unit and is wary of the threat posed by Chibuku Super Cup finalists Triangle.
“Triangle can cause problems for us but as a squad we are aware of what we have to do.
“We seek to be compact and solid moving as a block and not to allow them to play a free flowing passing game.
“But the whole idea is not on focusing on the opponent, it’s all about us executing our tactics well and playing to our strength which I am very optimistic will bring the much-needed result.
“Our fans have been exceptional since day one and we call upon them to come in their numbers and rally behind the team at this crucial moment,” added Dematsika.
GreenFuel sit in 16th place with 36 points, trapped one crucial point behind Triangle, who occupy 14th place.
Rodwell Dhlakama’s GreenFuel had gained momentum ahead of the FIFA international break and the veteran coach will be hoping Dematsika and the rest of his team will end their season on a high.
GreenFuel bagged eight points from their last five matches while Triangle had stumbled along the way, managing only five from the same number of games.
