Zimpapers Logo

Ricky Zililo, Senior Sports Reporter
IT’S the time to separate contenders from pretenders in the Castle Lager Premier Soccer League championship race.

The turn of the half is an exciting one with teams at the top hoping to cling on to their positions while the bottom of the table sides are coming out to fight for their survival, making every Premiership encounter exciting.

Action starts today with second from the bottom Bantu Rovers playing host to FC Platinum at Luveve Stadium.

FC Platinum are second on the table with 32 points from 17 games and trail leaders Ngezi Platinum Stars who have played 18 matches by two points.

FC Platinum can be overnight leaders in the event that they collect maximum points against “a nothing to lose” Rovers who will likely give their all as they continue with their survival fight.

Rovers gave Chicken Inn a scare during the midweek, putting a gallant fight even though they lost 1-0, conceding late in the second half.

Even though they lie in the murky relegation waters, Rovers continue to display good football, a case of good handwriting but wrong answers and if they are to salvage a positive result today, they need to score. Rovers’ defence of Lindelani Vice Ncube, Dumisani Sibanda, Kudzaishe Dzingwe and Tapiwa Khumbuyani is expected to provide cover for either Nonjabulo Dube or Wellington Muuya who will guard their goal.

The defence will have to deal with the experienced FC Platinum attackers who include newly signed trio of Takesure Chinyama, Mkhokheli Dube and Ali Sadiki.

FC Platinum also have Charles Sibanda, Marshal Mudehwe and Gift Mbweti who are equally dangerous when venturing upfront.

The platinum miners should be wary of Rovers’ attackers Nyasha Garai, Lucky Ndlela, Brighton Ncube and left footed midfielder Marvin Sibanda.
In the reverse fixture FC Platinum beat Rovers 3-2.

Rovers skipper Ndlela said: “Every game is a challenge to us and an opportunity to show what we’ve got. We’ve just been unlucky in the past but the good thing is that everyone believes that the luck we need is nearer and we are optimistic of a positive result.”

At Beitbridge’s Dulivhadzimu, title dark horses How Mine take on log anchors Tsholotsho FC with defending champions Caps United away to Harare City while the ZPC Kariba-Yadah FC encounter completes Saturday’s games.

Tomorrow, leaders Ngezi Platinum welcome home Hwange at Baobab. The table toppers will be hoping to complete a double over the coalminers who they beat 3-0 at the Colliery Stadium in the first leg.

Coming from a 4-2 away win against Black Rhinos, Ngezi Platinum face a Hwange outfit that is also bubbling with confidence following their 4-0 midweek win over Tsholotsho FC.

Tomorrow’s game will be the first away game for newly appointed Hwange gaffer Bigboy Mawiwi who took over from Nation Dube.

Mawiwi will hope that double scorer against Tsholotsho Justin Kaunda, Shepard Gadzikwa and Nathan Ziwini who were also on target for Hwange against the relegation favourites carry their scoring boots to Baobab.

Ngezi’s hopes will be pinned on defender Patson Jaure, utility players Liberty Chakoroma and Godknows Murwira, midfield duo of Walter Mukanga and Tichaona Mabvura as well as striker Terrence Dzukamanja.

In Bulawayo, Chicken Inn will be out for revenge and overturn the 2-1 first leg loss when the host Bulawayo City at Luveve Stadium.

Chicken Inn laboured to a 1-0 win over Rovers on Wednesday while City comfortably beat Highlanders 2-1 on Thursday.

City gaffer Mandla Mpofu has demanded total concentration from his charges.

“Every game at this point is a final to us and we have to fight hard. We are happy with the Highlanders win and now we should be at our best because Chicken Inn wouldn’t want to lose to us twice,” Mpofu said.

Highlanders will be hoping to bounce back to winning ways after a lifeless performance against City when they travel to Shabanie Mine while Dynamos return to their fortress Rufaro Stadium to face Triangle United.

Fixtures

Match Day 19

Today: Bantu Rovers v FC Platinum (Luveve), Tsholotsho FC v How Mine (Dulivhadzimu), ZPC Kariba v Yadah FC (Nyamhunga), Harare City v Caps United (Rufaro)

Tomorrow: Shabanie Mine v Highlanders (Maglas), Dynamos v Triangle United (Rufaro), Chicken Inn v Bulawayo City (Luveve), Chapungu v Black Rhinos (Ascot), Ngezi Platinum v Hwange (Baobab)