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Sikhumbuzo Moyo Senior Sports Reporter
THE curtain comes down on the 30-week long Castle Premiership football season tomorrow and former stars are tipping Saul Chaminuka to guide ZPC (Kariba) to their maiden league title.

Chaminuka’s charges take on Caps United at Gwanzura Stadium needing an outright win to kill off any slim hopes that their challengers, Dynamos, might be having.

DeMbare square off against gold miners, How Mine facing two dilemmas — registering a victory and then praying to the Almighty that their city rivals Caps United do them a lifetime favour by beating ZPC (Kariba) who can still fail to beat Makepekepe but go on to bag the trophy and bank the $70,000 prizemoney.

A win for ZPC Kariba and Dynamos will leave the status quo as it is while a draw at Gwanzura will need five goals to go past the How Mine goalkeeper without reply on the other end.

It is this scenario that has seen former players, some who went through similar equations with their clubs, tipping ZPC (Kariba).

Even a Caps United legend believes his former club has no chance against Chaminuka’s boys.

Highlanders legends, Dumisani “Savimbi” Nyoni, Netsai “Super” Moyo and Zenzo “Zemura” Moyo as well as the recently retired Abraham Mbaiwa all put their money on ZPC (Kariba).

Makepekepe great, Carlos Max does not believe that Caps United has the stamina to push off the charging electricity men, so do Hwange legends David Phiri and Aleck Nyoni.

“I think ZPC (Kariba) will run away with the championship while Black Rhinos are almost certain of joining Bantu Rovers and Chiredzi in Division One,” said Nyoni.

His former teammate Netsai said while it was a tight contest, ZPC (Kariba) would emerge winners because they put up a brave fight throughout the season.

“From the start they have been consistent in their performances. Their victory might turn a new leaf in our football, with newcomers now setting their eyes on the championship instead of relegation survival,” said Netsai.

Zenzo echoed the same sentiments, saying Shabanie Mine’s romance with the top guns might be over.

Former Hwange and national team trialist David Phiri said he does not want to rule out an upset at Gwanzura Stadium where Caps United might beat ZPC (Kariba) although DeMbare would also find life hard in collecting maximum points against How Mine.

“For a change though, ZPC (Kariba) must lift this year’s league title and as for relegation, I think we are going to condemn Buffaloes to Division One football,” said Phiri who was travelling with Hwange yesterday to Sakubva Stadium where they will take on Buffaloes.

Nyoni, another Chipangano former player, said failure by ZPC (Kariba) to win the title tomorrow will be the shock of the decade.

“With the way ZPC Kariba are playing, I don’t see them losing to Caps United. It’s written on the wall that they are already champions.

“Dynamos are relying on Caps United and their confidence is rather low so it’s early congratulations to Saul Chaminuka and my home boy Tembo Chuma,” said Nyoni.

He tipped Black Rhinos to be one of the relegated teams after 90 minutes tomorrow.

Mbaiwa said the season had been long and full of surprises but tomorrow they won’t be any as ZPC (Kariba) would be confirmed kings of Zimbabwe football.

“They are reaping the rewards for living true to the saying that for you to be champions you need to beat the big boys and they did beat Dynamos, Highlanders and come Sunday (tomorrow) it will be Caps United. At the bottom, it’s dog eat dog but I think Black Rhinos and Shabanie Mine will not survive,” said Mbaiwa.

In other matches, Chicken Inn are on the road to the capital to take on relegation fighting Harare City at Rufaro Stadium while Norman Mapeza will hope to finish on third place with a win over relegated Chiredzi United.

Triangle are not safe against Shabanie Mine even if they are at home. The Zvishavane side have to fight for dear life to stay among the two Premiership sides in the mineral rich town.

Fixtures
Tomorrow: Harare City v Chicken Inn (Rufaro), Triangle United v Shabanie Mine (Gibbo), Black Rhinos v Bantu Rovers (Rimuka ),Buffaloes v Hwange (Sakubva), FC Platinum v Chiredzi (Mandava), Highlanders v Chapungu (Hartsfield), ZPC Kariba v Caps United (Gwanzura, SS9), Dynamos v How Mine (National Sports Stadium)

Table
P    W    D    L    F    A    Pts
ZPC Kariba    29    15    11    3    40    23    56
Dynamos    29    15    9    5    32    18    54
Caps Utd    29    14    8    7    35    25    50
FC Platinum    29    12    12    5    31    19    48
Chicken Inn    29    12    8    9    31    26    44
Hwange    29    11    9    9    37    27    42
Highlanders    29    11    9    9    36    29    42
How Mine    29    10    10    9    33    31    40
Chapungu    29    9    10    10    30    28    37
Triangle    29    10    7    12    35    38    37
Buffaloes    29    10    6    13    30    42    36
Shabanie     29    9    8    12    32    37    35
Harare City    29    10    5    14    38    44    35
Black Rhinos    29    9    7    13    19    28    34
Bantu Rovers    29    6    7    16    27    45    25
Chiredzi    29    3    6    19    16    43    15