Online Reporter
Eddie Chikamhi
Zimpapers Sports Hub
GIANTS CAPS United know they will not have it easy today when they go out against defending champions Simba Bhora at Wadzanai in Shamva.
Dynamos have an equally tough away assignment away to Ngezi Platinum Stars at Baobab this afternoon while Highlanders travel to bogey side Herentals tomorrow at Rufaro.
The country’s Big Three are among the nine teams currently embroiled in relegation tussles that also include perennial survivors Yadah, GreenFuel, Triangle, Bikita Minerals, Manica Diamonds and Chicken Inn.
With Kwekwe United the only side that has been confirmed relegated, the situation in the bottom half of the table is getting tense going into the last five games of the season.
Makepekepe, who are winless in their last three games could slip deeper into the relegation zone if they fail to collect maximum points.
They are occupying the last spot outside the drop zone on goal difference and their coach Ian Bakala knows that nothing but a win could deflect pressure from his struggling project.
Having 32 points at this point of the campaign is not good enough. The Harare giants need maximum points to stay afloat.
Bakala feels his charges have recovered mentally from last week’s 0-1 defeat to bitter rivals Dynamos in the Harare Derby at Rufaro.
He has established his strike force as the major weakness and has dedicated much time to work on their finishing this week.
“I think in the game against Dynamos we did everything but we couldn’t score. But this week we have worked too much on scoring,” said the Zambian gaffer.
“Winning games comes from scoring goals. No matter how good you play result matters at the end of the day. We just have to push against Simba Bhora so that we get the three points.
“Looking at how have we trained this week, I think we have seen more goals in training but we have to apply that in the game. The players are looking good. I think mentally we are focused and we ae very ready for the game against Simba Bhora,” said Bakala.
But they should not expect to get it easy against Simba Bhora at their Wadzanayi fortress. The Shamva side need to reclaim the control of the title race after falling four points behind Scottland, albeit with two games in hand.
Simba Bhora could still climb back to the top should they win today and then claim maximum points against Triangle in a rescheduled fixture set for next week. The stakes are high for Simba Bhora and this makes the mission difficult for Makepekepe.
GreenFuel are also facing a tough outing at MWOS. GreenFuel are third from the bottom with 31 points. A win could come as a huge relief.
But they face a side that is also chasing the title. MWOS are seven points adrift of log leaders Scottland, who extended their lead at the top following a win at Chicken Inn yesterday.
The prospects do not also look good for Yadah ahead of their trip to Mandava this afternoon to face former champions FC Platinum, who are battling for consistency.
The Miracle Boys have not won in their last four league games and sit second from the bottom of the table with 29 points. They have been in these positions before but the relegation matrix this year looks a bit complicated, which makes survival complex.
Two teams in relegation zone Manica Diamonds and Triangle cancel each other at Sakubva. Manica Diamonds have 33 points while Triangle are on 32.
Bikita Minerals, also on 33 points, travel to ZPC Kariba to improve their fortunes.
Giants Dynamos, who are still in relegation zone despite going on an impressive six match unbeaten run in the league, have a difficult mission against Ngezi Platinum Stars at Baobab this afternoon.
The Glamour Boys have been on a revival path under Zambian Kelvin Kaindu, winning five and drawing one of their previous six league games to claw to 32 points. Kaindu is targeting more consistency going into the remaining five games.
“Yeah, we want to be consistent and 15 points is a lot to play for,” he said.
“It can mean a lot if you are able to maximise the potential and get maximum points. But we know that there are games that are going to be difficult.
“We are in a position that is not good and an unfamiliar position for a team like Dynamos. We just hope that we keep on picking up points. If you look at the log standing, one loss will definitely make a difference.
“I think points are very close. If you drop points, other teams will go ahead of you. We want to be consistent and we just hope to get the best out of everyone.”
Fixtures
Today: TelOne v Kwekwe Utd (Ascot), MWOS v GreenFuel (Ngoni), Manica Diamonds v Triangle (Sakubva), Simba Bhora v CAPS United (Wadzanayi), Dynamos v Ngezi Platinum Stars (Rufaro), ZPC Kariba v Bikita Minerals (Nyamhunga), FC Platinum v Yadah (Mandava)
Tomorrow: Herentals v Highlanders (Rufaro)
