Chronicle Editor
Ricky Zililo, Senior Sports Reporter
WITH just two Premiership weekends left before the season ends, five clubs are battling to escape the relegation axe in matches to be played on Sunday.
Teams that are involved in Survival Sunday are Hwange, Bulawayo City, Shabanie Mine, Harare City and Yadah FC.
Just like the championship race which has reached fever pitch, the survival battle promises to be a thriller.
From the five teams, two will join Bantu Rovers and Tsholotsho FC, whose relegation was confirmed weeks back.
Only three points separate Hwange, who are third from the bottom, and Yadah FC, who are 12th with 37 points.
An epic clash is on the cards when Hwange take on Harare City at the Colliery Stadium, with just a point separating the two.
The coalminers can get out of the relegation hellhole at the expense of the Chibuku Super Cup champions should they maximise on home advantage and collect maximum points.
What makes the encounter even more intriguing is that the two sides are aware that there is no room for error, with a draw likely to be costly for them in the event that Bulawayo City, who occupy the last relegation slot, beat Caps United at the National Sports Stadium.
Hwange have a tricky end to the season and would want to travel to ZPC Kariba when they are out of the drop zone that they occupy, while Harare City wrap their campaign at home against How Mine, a side they beat in the cup final 3-1.
Bulawayo City are tied on 35 points with Harare City, and smarting from a 0-2 home loss to Dynamos. The boys from the City of Kings should move mountains if they are to beat in-form Caps United.
Should they stutter against Caps United, Bulawayo City’s survival chances will be slim, as they will require other teams to do them favour and beat their opponents.
Tragedy can strike for the Southern Region should Bulawayo City follow Bantu Rovers and Tsholotsho FC to the unfashionable First Division.
Amakhosi, as Bulawayo City call themselves, will end the season with a date against Bantu Rovers.
Shabanie Mine are in Bulawayo on Sunday to face How Mine, who controversially lost 0-1 to Highlanders yesterday. The prospect of at least a top six finish might push How Mine to do better against the asbestos miners and do their neighbours Bulawayo City a favour.
Shabanie Mine’s last game of the season will be at home against Yadah FC, who head into the weekend’s games a point above the Zvishavane side.
On Sunday, Yadah FC are at home to inconsistent Highlanders. — @ZililoR
Online Reporter