Online Reporter
Robson Sharuko
Metros Editor
HIGHLANDERS have virtually SURVIVED relegation with the point they gained on Super Saturday.
Dynamos also look to be pretty safe.
CAPS United, on 40 points, are SAFE.
While Bikita Minerals can also get to 40 points, it means they would have beaten Manica Diamonds, who will remain trapped at 38 points, while Yadah and GreenFuel cannot get to 40 points.
In any case, the Green Machine have the easiest fixture in the final round of matches as they will take on relegated KweKwe United, who have conceded nine goals in their last two matches.
It has been a poor season for the country’s Big Three – Dynamos, Highlanders and CAPS United – who all fired their coaches as they searched for solutions during a nightmarish campaign.
It’s the first time in the history of the domestic Premiership that NINE years have passed without any of member of the Big Three winning the league championship.
CAPS United were the last member of the Big Three to be crowned champions when Lloyd Chitembwe guided them to the Promised Land in 2016.
Dynamos have not won the league in 11 years, their longest barren run, while Bosso haven’t won the league in 19 years.
The Glamour Boys found themselves second-from-the-bottom of the table, and dealing with the grim reality that they could be relegated, before the recruitment of Kelvin Kaindu changed everything.
The Zambian coach, who was surprisingly fired by Bosso, has transformed Dynamos into a difficult team to beat and only champions Scottland have collected more points than DeMbare since Kaindu’s arrival.
Bosso, who will celebrate 100 years of existence next year, were held to a 1-1 draw by Manica Diamonds at Barbourfields on Saturday.
And, the point they gained appears to have saved them from relegation.
Highlanders have 38 points, the same as Dynamos, Manica Diamonds and Chicken Inn – the neighbours they will meet in their final game of the season.
Crucially, Bosso have a positive goal difference of plus one.
Triangle and Bikita Minerals have 37 points, Green Fuel have 36 and Yadah have 35.
The worst case scenario for Bosso on the final day of the season is a loss to the Gamecocks, who will also move above them with 41 points to their credit.
But, the final day fixtures – Manica Diamonds versus Bikita Minerals and GreenFuel versus Triangle – mean that even if Bosso lose to Chicken Inn, Highlanders will still survive because of their better goal difference.
If Dynamos, Triangle and Manica Diamonds avoid defeat on the final day of the season, they will all move above Bosso in the event Highlanders lose their last game.
Triangle will also move above Bosso with, at least, a draw in their final match in the event Highlanders lose their final game.
But a Triangle point means that GreenFuel would have also got just a point and will end the season on 37 points, one point less than Bosso’s tally.
Yadah can also get to 38 points, with a win over Simba Bhora in their final game at Wadzanai, but the Miracle Boys, with a goal difference of minus six will need Bosso to lose by something like an eight-goal margin (0-8) for them to survive ahead of Highlanders.
Bikita Minerals can get to 40 points with a victory in their final game.
However, that win will come at the expense of Manica Diamonds, which means the Gem Boys will remain stuck in a lower position than Highlanders, on goal difference.
GreenFuel can also get to 39 points, if they win their last game, but such a victory will come at the expense of Triangle who, with 37 points, are already below Bosso.
So, whichever results one can consider, Bosso will be safe unless, of course, they lose their final match against Chicken Inn by, let’s say, an eight-goal losing margin.
And, even if that is the case, it also need results for other clubs, swimming in relegation trouble, to favour those teams.
Mathew Masinge