CHRONICLE

Title race and relegation fight in PSL Saturday showdown

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)

UPDATE :

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

UPDATE :

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.

UPDATE :

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.

UPDATE :

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?

UPDATE :

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.

UPDATE :

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.

UPDATE :

Manica Diamonds v TelOne

ALL is set for the fight to evade relegation with Premier Soccer League basement battle pitting Manica Diamonds and TelOne at Sakubva Stadium in Mutare this afternoon.

Both teams have only managed to win four out of 29 rounds of league matches played so far.

Manica Diamonds are sitting right at the bottom of the log standings while TelOne are just above the Mutare diamonds miners with only two points separating the two.

-Ray Bande

UPDATE :

Chicken Inn v FC Platinum… Visitors line-up. Selemani starts for the former Champions as they seek to protect their unbeaten run under coach Thabo Senong

UPDATE :

Herentals FC breast cancer awareness

UPDATE :

Prince Dube and Washington Navaya leading the attack at Chahwanda. Kelvin Kaindu’s side cannot afford to drop points today against Bulawayo Chiefs

UPDATE :

They are both out of the title race but still they have something to play for

Herentals are fighting for a top four finish.

The Students are fifth on the log with 48 points, three behind Dynamos who are fourth.

Last season’s runners up MWOS are 12th with 39 points and are now aiming for a top eight finish.

Herentals and MWOS are clashing at Rufaro in an interesting Castle Lager Premier Soccer League fixture.

Kick off is 3PM.

UPDATE :

Chicken Inn v FC Platinum … Visitors warm-up

UPDATE :

 

Herentals: T. Takarinda, P. Chama, B. Phiri, W. Chimbetu, M. Chimedza, E. Dombo, R. Kawondera, K. Sangare, J. Chitavira, T. Mupumha, I. Benza

UPDATE :

Some entertainment at Rufaro, just before the Herentals vs MWOS premiership match kickoff. Herentals have used the matchday to raise awareness on breast cancer. Pictures : Veronica Gwaze

FACT BOX

-October is breast cancer awareness month

-Key Focus Areas in Zimbabwe

* Early Detection: Educating women and communities on self-examinations and the importance of clinical breast exams.

* Access to Screening: Local clinics, hospitals and advocacy groups coordinate reduced-cost or free clinical screenings during October.

* Support and Advocacy: Non-profit and health networks work to reduce the stigma surrounding cancer, share survivor stories, and connect patients with resources.

UPDATE :

Kick off at Rufaro, fifth placed Herentals taking on MWOS who are 12th.

The reverse fixture ended 1-0 in favour of Herentals.

Manica Diamonds v TelOne – Action underway at Sakubva – Ray Bande

UPDATE :

10′ Herentals 0-0 MWOS

The visitors came close in the first minute when Arthur Banda’s glancing header was saved by Takarinda, who is now receiving treatment after a collision.

UPDATE :

UPDATE :

25′ Herentals 0-0 MWOS

MWOS coach Lloyd Mutasa has been shown a yellow card for remonstrating against the referee’s decision.

Controversial referee Lawrence Zimondi is in charge.

UPDATE :

26’ ZPC Kariba 0-0 Scottland

UPDATE :

25’

Herentals 0-0 MWOS

Chicken Inn 0-0 FC Platinum

Agama 1-1 FC Hunters

Manica Diamonds 0-0 Telone

Hardrock 0-0 Bulawayo Chiefs

ZPC Kariba 0-0 Scottland

UPDATE :

GOAL!

40′ Herentals 0-1 MWOS

Wilson Mensah with the easiest task of heading the ball into an empty net.

UPDATE :

Another goal at Rufaro and another one for Ghanaian striker Mensah.

He makes it 2-0 for MWOS who are threatening to run riot here at Rufaro.

Two minutes added.

UPDATE :

Half time at Rufaro.

Herentals have a lot of work to do in the second half.

Hope The Students took some lessons from a first half dominated by MWOS who lead 2-0 here Rufaro.

UPDATE :

HT

Manica Diamonds 0-0 TelOne

UPDATE :

Half Time:

Herentals 0-2 MWOS

Chicken Inn 0-0 FC Platinum

Agama 1-1 FC Hunters

Manica Diamonds 0-0 Telone

Hardrock 0-0 Bulawayo Chiefs

ZPC Kariba 0-0 Scottland

UPDATE :

Second half resumes at Rufaro.

Herentals 0-2 MWOS.

As it stands The Punters will move to 42 points and enhance their chances of a top eight finish

UPDATE :

64’ ZPC Kariba FC 1 vs 0 Scottland FC

ZPC Kariba breaks the deadlock

UPDATE :

62′ Herentals 0-2 MWOS.

Innocent Benza is hauled off, soon after registering a shot on target, in comes Prince Mahembe.

UPDATE :

Washington Navaya scores from the spot on 64 minutes after a Bulawayo Chiefs handled in the box

UPDATE :

65′ Herentals 0-2 MWOS.

The Students are pressing for a goal but Tedious Baye has been up to the task.

The agile keeper has made several saves, on the other end Wilson Mensah misses a hattrick, chipping the ball over Takarinda and the bar