SIX PSL games are lined up for Saturday, and the games affect both the title race and the relegation fight.Scottland, away to ZPC Kariba in Nyamhunga, must win their game to maintain their lead at the top of the table.
They are currently on 61 points while second-placed Hardrock are on 60 points.
Hardrock, on the other hand, face Bulawayo Chiefs at Chahwanda in what is a tricky tie.
Herentals, who face MWOS at Rufaro, will also be hoping for full points as they seek a top-four finish.
Chicken Inn and FC Platinum could be more of a battle for bragging rights, but it will also be another litmus test for FC Platinum under coach Thabo Senong.
Agama, who face FC Hunters, and Manica Diamonds versus TelOne are all relegation battles.
Our Reporters across the country will be giving us the updates.
PSL Fixtures
Saturday
Herentals v MWOS (Rufaro)
Chicken Inn v FC Platinum (Luveve)
AGAMA v FC Hunters (Wadzanayi)
Manica Diamonds v TelOne (Sakubva)
Hardrock v Bulawayo Chiefs (Chahwanda)
ZPC Kariba v Scottland (Nyamhunga)
Latest Standings
P W D L F A Pts
Scottland 29 17 10 2 45 10 61
Hardrock 29 18 6 5 51 18 60
Ngezi Platinum 30 13 13 4 35 25 52
Dynamos 30 12 15 3 40 21 51
Herentals 29 14 6 9 31 26 48
Caps United 29 12 11 6 34 25 47
Highlanders 30 9 15 6 26 22 42
Chicken Inn 29 11 8 10 22 23 41
MWOS 29 9 12 8 27 22 39
FC Platinum 29 8 15 6 19 20 39
Simba Bhora 29 8 11 10 29 30 35
Bulawayo Chiefs 29 7 10 12 25 33 31
FC Hunters 29 6 13 10 22 33 31
ZPC Kariba 29 5 14 10 17 26 29
AGAMA 29 6 7 16 17 38 25
Triangle 30 5 8 17 21 36 23
TelOne 29 4 9 16 20 42 21
Manica Diamonds 29 4 7 18 12 42 19
Mapeza set for record
If Norman Mapeza goes on to win the Castle Lager Premiership with Scottland, it will be his fifth domestic title.
He won his first title in 2008 with Monoz and then three others with FC Platinum in the 2017, 2018 and 2020-21 seasons.
Since the new millennium, only two coaches have won four titles: him and Callisto Pasuwa. But what makes Pasuwa’s special is that he won four in a row with one club, Dynamos.
Mapeza will, however, set a new record if he wins the title with Scottland this season.It will mean he would have won five titles with three different clubs.
Kaindu under pressure
The Castle Lager Premiership title has often eluded Kelvin Kaindu.
In 2012 and 2013, he lost the title on goal difference when he was Highlanders coach.
Finishing second in the league has been his best position so far, and history could repeat itself.
To avoid that, Kaindu must make sure they win all their remaining matches, including the Bulawayo Chiefs game today, and hope that Scottland slip.
Fans Expectation
Both the Kasongo fans and Mabviravira fans have high expectations.
With both teams boasting of a lot of depth, it means the fans are divided on the best XI to start.
At Nyamhunga, Scottland fans’ buses have travelled to support the team in what is a tricky game.
Can they make the trip back to Harare happy?
Can Navaya increase his tally?
Hardrock striker Washing Navaya leads the goalscoring chart with 16 goals and is one shy of his return last season when he claimed the Golden Boot while turning out for TelOne.
If he remains fit, he is favourite to end the season as top scorer.
So can he provide the magic today and destroy Bulawayo Chiefs?
If Chiefs’ performance against Scottland in their last game is anything to go by, then in reality, it could be tough for the top scorer today.
Chiefs coach John Nyikadzino may have a plan to keep him at bay. But as we have learnt throughout the season, Hardrock can get their goals from anyone on the pitch.
TelOne are eight points behind the team occupying the last safe position, ZPC Kariba, on 29 points, but they are not yet giving up the fight. They face Manica Diamonds at Sakubva.
Under Joel Luphahla, they have had three coaches in charge of their campaign this year.
As things stand, TelOne are as good as gone if history is anything to go by.
Since the league increased to 18 teams in 2017, no team has gone on to survive relegation after collecting 21 points in 29 games.
The closest to such a miracle was in the 2021-22 season when Yadah survived with just 37 points.
As things stand, TelOne can only reach 36 points if they win all their five remaining games.
