adminRicky Zililo Sports Reporter
THE Castle Lager Premier Soccer League action resumes on Wednesday after a two week break with a lot at stake for teams as they compete for the championship while others are battling to survive relegation. Premiership action resumes at a time when all the clubs have finished beefing up their squads after the closure of the mid-season transfer window.
The championship race which is wide open with 12 rounds of matches remaining is likely to be fought to the wire.
Harare City, Highlanders, Dynamos, Caps United, Chicken Inn and FC Platinum are vying for the title.
Harare City are at the top of the log with 37 points, three ahead of second placed Highlanders after 18 matches.
The log leaders who beat sixth placed FC Platinum 1-0 in their last league match more than a fortnight ago travel to Beitbridge for a tricky encounter with relegation threatened Tripple B on Wednesday.
The Bigboy Mawiwi coached Harare City are aware that any slip up at this stage can cost them their hope of a maiden league title.
Harare City only signed dead-ball specialist Munyaradzi Kanyarimwe from Shabanie Mine while their midweek opponents made seven signings in a move meant to strengthen their squad and increase their chances of staying afloat.
The log leaders must brace themselves for a difficult game at Dulibadzimu Stadium as Tripple B have vowed to make life difficult for their opponents, especially at home.
“We have six home matches left and for us to survive relegation we need to pick maximum points at home and get at least a draw away. So, our goal is simple, to make sure that PSL action stays in Beitbridge. The clubs which will be coming to Beitbridge must know that they will not have it easy as
we are taking every remaining game like it’s a final or the last game of the season,” said Gibson Makhanda, the Tripple B secretary-general.
The border town club brought in Julius Daudi and Dion Homela from Chicken Inn, Makai Kawashu from ZPC Kariba, Flame Lily’s Forward Makambanga, Blessing Mazorodze from Power Master, Obey Hunduza (FC Platinum) and promoted Shepherd Sithole from their juniors.
Tripple B also have the likes of their leading goal scorer Aleck Marime with eight Premiership goals, Maxwell Mavhuto, Eddie Chapfungamoyo and Timire Mamvura who are capable of rescuing them from the murky relegation waters.
Harare City are not the only title chasing club on the road as Bulawayo giants Highlanders travel to Harare for a date with Black Mambas.
Mambas are oozing with confidence after handing Chicken Inn a 3-2 defeat in their last home match and face a Highlanders side which has of late been struggling in the final third. Bosso have signed Master Masitara from Nico United in Botswana in a move meant to improve their potency in front of goal.
Highlanders also signed unheralded Tinashe Chipunza.
Bosso need maximum points at Morris Depot if they are to keep their championship hopes alive.
Other players to look out for in the Bosso team include new signing Gabriel Nyoni who is yet to score since joining Highlanders from Bulawayo Chiefs. Nyoni has played two matches for Highlanders, coming from the bench against Chicken Inn and Hwange.
Highlanders’ quartet of goalkeeper Munyaradzi Diya, Milton Ncube, Peter Moyo and Masimba Mambare who have been with the national team for the Chan qualifier against Mauritius are expected to arrive in Bulawayo today and might be available for selection for the game against Mambas.
Mambas who signed nomadic striker Evans Gwekwerere during the transfer window and Joseph Mutambiranwa from Caps United are in a precarious position on the log and Bosso must expect a good run for their money in Harare.
In the only game slatted for Bulawayo, Chicken Inn will be hoping to complete a double over How Mine who they play at Luveve Stadium on Wednesday.
How Mine will be under the guidance of care-taker coach Philani “Beefy” Ncube after the club fired Philani Mabhena last week.
Ncube will be facing his former paymasters and the goldminers were also busy on the market as they clinched deals with veteran Sizalobuhle Dube, ex-national team defender Nyasha Mukumbi, goalkeeper Ephraim Mazarura and ex-Highlanders and Bantu Rovers striker Qinani Sibanda.
Chicken Inn on the other hand are likely to be without Kudakwashe Mahachi who is on trials in South Africa and will welcome Tendai Ndoro who has been away from the Gamecocks camp for over a month due to national team commitments and trials in South Africa.
Fixtures
Wednesday: Chicken Inn v How Mine (Luveve), Black Mambas v Highlanders (Morris Depot), Triangle v Black Rhinos (Gibbo), Monomotapa v Hwange (Rufaro), FC Platinum v Caps United (Mandava), Tripple B v Harare City (Dulibadzimu).
Thursday: Shabanie Mine v Buffaloes (Maglas), Dynamos v Motor Action (Rufaro).
Log Standings
P W D L F A Pts
Harare City 18 11 4 3 27 15 37
Highlanders 18 10 4 4 28 15 34
Dynamos 18 8 8 2 24 10 32
Caps United 18 9 4 5 24 17 31
Chicken Inn 18 9 4 5 25 19 31
FC Platinum 18 8 5 5 21 16 29
Buffaloes 18 8 1 9 31 31 25
Shabanie Mine 18 7 3 8 19 23 24
How Mine 18 7 3 8 18 22 24
Triangle 18 6 4 8 20 22 22
Monomotapa 18 6 4 8 21 27 22
Black Mambas 18 7 1 10 18 25 22
Hwange 18 4 6 8 16 20 18
Black Rhinos 18 4 6 8 18 26 18
Tripple B 18 4 4 10 17 27 16
Motor Action 18 3 5 10 12 24 14
Bongani Ndlovu
Online Reporter