PSL action in 387 goals…one win in 11 games for Manica
Fungai Muderere, [email protected]
THE Castle Lager Premier Soccer League action now sits on the 387-goal mark with three additional goals having come during Week 25 rescheduled fixtures that were played on Sunday.
The past weekend saw two Matchday 25 fixtures – Manica Diamonds versus Arenel Movers and TelOne versus Dynamos – being played in Mutare and Gweru respectively.
The game between Ngezi Platinum Stars and Hwange remains the only postponed Week 25 fixture. While TelOne played a goalless draw against DeMbare, Manica Diamonds finally remembered how to win after they got the better of Arenel Movers on a 2-1 score meaning Week 25 matches have so far produced a total of 19 strikes.
Before the two games were played the league’s goal tally was 384. Interestingly, prior to their triumph over Arenel Movers, Manica Diamonds had not posted a single win in 10 games, posting seven draws and three defeats.
They drew with Herentals, Dynamos, TelOne (Home), Ngezi Platinum Stars, Chegutu Pirates, Bulawayo Chiefs and Yadah Stars (Away) Manica Diamonds lost the three matches to CAPS United, Chicken Inn and Simba Bhora on an identical 1-0 scoreline.
As if that is not enough, in that winless streak, the Gem Boys had found the back of the net once when they drew 1-1 against Yadah Stars in a game played way back on June 15.
In the period under review, Manica Diamonds, managed to collect seven out of a possible 30 points to put them on a wanting 23 percent success rate.
To somehow prove lack of competitiveness in the country’s elite football league, Manica Diamonds’ recent win over Arenel Movers, took their points tally to 39, one ahead of fifth-placed Highlanders and two behind Ngezi Platinum Stars who are on number two.
In-form Simba Bhora are a massive 11 points ahead of the Gem Boys.
“I don’t know what was really happening when we experienced that bad spell. We were doing everything right in terms of organisation and play but we were not scoring. We will prepare for our next fixture with a positive mind. We respect FC Platinum as we look forward to cementing our top-four position. If possible, we are looking forward to going up the ladder and probably determine the destiny of the championship,” said Manica Diamonds head coach, Jairos Tapera.
In other Week 26 fixtures, Highlanders will do battle against CAPS United at Rufaro Stadium while Chicken Inn take on Yadah Stars at Luveve Stadium Philani “Beefy” Ncube’s Arenel Movers’ entertain Greenfuel at Luveve Stadium on Saturday. Log leaders Simba Bhora will fight it against TelOne at Ascot Stadium.
Chegutu Pirates will fight it out against Thulani “Thuts” Sibanda coached Bulawayo Chiefs at Baobab Stadium.
The match between defending champions, Ngezi Platinum Stars and Dynamos has been postponed.
PSL Week 26 Fixtures
Saturday
FC Platinum v Manica Diamonds (Mandava Stadium), Arenel Movers’ v Greenfuel (Luveve Stadium) CAPS United v Highlanders (Rufaro)
Sunday
Bikita Minerals v ZPC Kariba (Sakubva), Herentals v Hwange (Rufaro), Chicken Inn v Yadah ( Luveve) Chegutu Pirates v Bulawayo Chiefs (Baobab Stadium) TelOne v Simba Bhora (Ascot Stadium).—@FungaiMuderere
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