adminMidlands Correspondent
THE Zifa Central Soccer League (CSL) reaches the halfway mark today with the pick of the fixtures pitting army side Tongogara who play host to third placed Shabanie Mine at Battlefields.
Tongogara and the Chinda Boys are both tied on 29 points, a point behind leaders Blanket Mine but the army side is second courtesy of a superior goal difference.
What makes this week’s fixtures intriguing is that the top three sides would want to win their fixtures and lead the standings.
Since the inauguration of the CSL in 2010, the team which has led the standings at the halfway stage of the season has gone all the way to win the championship.
The last time the two sides met Tongogara beat the asbestos miners two nil at Maglas in a match marred with violence before settling for a nil all draw in the reverse fixture at Battlefields.
However, both coaches who were in charge of the reverse fixture at the army cantonment believe it’s a different ball game altogether.
Shabanie Mine gaffer, Tendai Chikuni said his charges are prepared for the encounter.
“We are treating each game as it comes and for us what happened last year is history and my charges are ready for the game,” said Chikuni.
The asbestos miners have enlisted the services of 40 year old former Orlando Pirates defender Zvenyika Makonese who is now being used as a striker during the transfer window.
Makonese was on target during Shabanie Mine’s 2 – 1 win over ZPC Munyati last weekend.
While the two sides will be doing battle in the army cantonment, Blanket Mine will make the long trip to Kwekwe for a relatively easy assignment with Kwekwe Sables.
However, Blanket Mine gaffer, Barnet Vhinkumbu said there are guarding against complacency and would give the match the seriousness it deserves to come out with a positive result.
Fixtures
Today: Whawha vs MSU (Whawha), Jessie Mine vs ZRP Gwanda (Colleen Bawn), Tongogara vs Shabanie Mine (Battlefields), ZPC Munyati vs ZRP Beitbridge (Munyati), Kwekwe Sables vs Blanket Mine (Mbizo)
Tomorrow: Nichrut vs Ivan Hoe (Peak Mine), Chrome Stars vs FC Platinum
U19 (Chrome), Gweru United vs Vumbachikwe (Ascot)
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