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Ricky Zililo Senior Sports Reporter—
THE survival fight for the bottom seven Castle Lager Premier Soccer League clubs continues this weekend with each of them facing a tricky encounter. Highlanders, Buffaloes, ZPC Kariba, Tsholotsho FC, Flame Lily, Whawha and Dongo are all involved in must-win matches to move away from the drop zone.

Bosso, who sit 10th on the league table with 28 points, could find themselves equal on points with 11th placed Buffaloes, if they lose to Caps United at the National Sports Stadium on Sunday and the soldiers beat airforce side Chapungu. The Bulawayo giants are in an unfamiliar position on the league table and should brace for a taxing game against a Caps United side that beat them 1-0 at Barbourfields Stadium in the reverse fixture in May through a strike by defender Stephen Makatuka.

Both clubs go into the match with a bit of confidence following 1-0 wins after going four games without a victory. Highlanders edged Flame Lily at Barbourfields while Caps United beat Hwange at the Colliery. What makes the two giants’ meet even more exciting is that they are both competing for different goals. Caps United are fighting for a top four finish, while Highlanders are trying to avoid the axe.

A slip by Highlanders will give Buffaloes a chance to draw level in the event that they collect maximum points at Chapungu on Saturday. Buffaloes are on 25 points, a point above ZPC Kariba. The electricity generators are three points ahead of Tsholotsho, who are 13th. Tsholotsho, Flame Lily, Whawha and Dongo Sawmill occupy the four relegation slots.

By this time last season, Black Rhinos, Shabanie Mine, Bantu Rovers and Chiredzi were in the red and the four failed to escape the chop. It remains to be seen whether Tsholotsho, Flame Lily, Whawha and Dongo Sawmill would be able to collect as many points as possible to save themselves from returning to the unfashionable Division One League after just a season in the topflight.

The Zhwane Boys are confident of surviving relegation despite their remaining tough fixtures. On Saturday, Tsholotsho welcome high-flying FC Platinum at White City Stadium. The platinum miners have gone on an unbeaten run of 14 games in the league, making them one of the most feared sides.

Following their defeat by Dynamos in the Chibuku Super Cup quarter-final on Sunday, FC Platinum will be hoping to recover against Tsholotsho. “We’re in a precarious position where every point matters. We’re not worried about how our opponents are playing because this is a new ball game altogether. As a club, we’re confident of surviving relegation and what’s required of us is to collect as many points as possible. It won’t be easy, but the boys are giving their best and it’s evident with their performances,” said Tsholotsho coach Lizwe Sweswe.

After registering their first home victory of the season a fortnight ago when they beat How Mine 2-1, the Zhwane Boys are eager to make FC Platinum their next victims. The platinum miners come to Bulawayo without suspended ex-Tsholotsho midfielder Gerald Takwara, who joined the Zvishavane side in July. Takwara has been an integral part of FC Platinum’s central midfield, protecting the back four alongside Winston Mhango.

His unavailability could be a blessing for Tsholotsho as most players tend to give their former paymasters a hard time. Tsholotsho should be on the lookout for FC Platinum’s attacking trio of Obrey Chirwa, Brian Muzondiwa and Marshal Mudehwe, who have been terrorising most PSL defenders. The home team will bank on veteran Joel Luphahla, defensive midfielder Butholezwe Ncube, skipper William Stima and playmaker Ocient Ncube to lead their quest for maximum points against the Zvishavane side.

It will be a battle of relegation contenders at Rufaro Stadium on Saturday when Flame Lily take on Sunday Chidzambwa’s ZPC Kariba while Whawha are at home to troubled How Mine on Sunday. Dongo Sawmill take on Hwange at Vengere Stadium in Rusape.

Fixtures
Saturday: Tsholotsho v FC Platinum (White City), Flame Lily v ZPC Kariba (Rufaro, 1PM SuperSport), Harare City v Triangle United (Rufaro, 3PM SuperSport), Chapungu v Buffaloes (Ascot)

Sunday: Caps United v Highlanders (National Sports Stadium, 3PM SuperSport), Whawha v How Mine (Ascot), Dongo Sawmill v Hwange (Vengere), Chicken Inn v Dynamos (Barbourfields)

Suspended PSL players: Passmore Bernard (Chicken Inn), Peter Muzondo (Triangle United), Vimbai Gibson Madamombe (Whawha), Livingstone Genti (Whawha), Gerald Takwara (FC Platinum)

P W D L F A GD Pts

Chicken Inn 23 15 4 4 35 16 19 49

FC Platinum 23 13 5 5 43 19 24 44

Dynamos 23 11 9 3 28 17 11 42

Triangle United 23 10 7 6 36 18 18 37

Harare City 23 8 10 5 24 18 6 34

Caps United 23 8 10 5 16 16 0 34

Chapungu 23 8 8 7 20 21 -1 32

How Mine 23 8 7 8 25 26 -1 31

Hwange 23 6 11 6 24 23 1 29

Highlanders 23 7 7 9 26 23 3 28

Buffaloes 23 5 10 8 18 30 -12 25

ZPC Kariba 23 5 9 9 28 30 -2 24

Tsholotsho 23 4 9 10 14 25 -11 21

Flame Lily 23 3 10 10 17 29 -12 19

Whawha 23 4 7 12 13 41 -28 19

Dongo Sawmill 23 3 8 11 13 28 15 18