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Ricky Zililo Senior Sports Reporter
WHAT an exciting 2014 Premiership season it has been, with both the championship and relegation equations likely to be decided in the final week.
Already on their way to the First Division, Bantu Rovers left defending champions Dynamos with tails in between their legs following a 0-0 draw in Harare on Sunday. That memorable show by Tshintsha Guluva could have a bearing on the title race which ZPC Kariba could stretch by a week after collecting maximum points against Harare City.

The Premier Soccer League has allowed the excitement that their programme has generated over the past weeks to flow by having Week 29 matches on this weekend.
ZPC Kariba v Dynamos (Saturday, November 8)

No doubt, this is the biggest match of the weekend as both teams are separated by a point.
A win for Dynamos will hand them their fourth consecutive Premiership title with a match to spare as they will reach an unassailable 57 points and nothing will be sweeter for the Harare giants than to do it in style by beating their challengers.

A draw will stretch the title race by a week and a defeat for DeMbare will give ZPC Kariba an advantage meaning that Dynamos will need Caps United to beat the power generators for them on the last day.

ZPC Kariba are trying to do what Black Rhinos did in 1984 when they won the championship in their maiden season, then with the likes of Stanley “Sinyo” Ndunduma and Stanford “Stix” M’tizwa who they had snapped from Caps United.

Just like the army side, ZPC Kariba assembled a squad of veterans who include Pride Tafirenyika, Limited Chikafa, Tawanda Munyanduri, Tawanda Nyamandwe, injured Raphael Manuvire who was a vital cog in the first half of the season and goalkeeper Tendai Hove.

They went on to reinforce their side by signing defensive midfielder Elvis Meleka during the mid-season transfer window which has made their club formidable.
Interestingly, ZPC Kariba, who have been homeless as their stadium didn’t meet standard requirements, have decided to play their encounter at the giant National Sports Stadium which is ironically where they handed DeMbare a 0-1 defeat.

Another interesting fact is that Dynamos, like true champions, have gone for an unbeaten run of 17 games, with their last defeat being 0-1 loss on Week 11 away to Hwange.

It remains to be seen whether Callisto Pasuwa will make history and become the first Zimbabwean coach to win four consecutive titles.

Hwange-FC Platinum
(Sunday, November 9)
It’s a battle for a top four finish to enable one of the two clubs to join Dynamos, ZPC Kariba and Caps United in the end of season Mbada Diamonds Cup competition. FC Platinum are on position four with 45 points, three above their opponents and they share the same goal difference —11.

The coalminers are favourites to win the battle at the Colliery Stadium where they have been difficult to beat. In their last home encounter, Chipangano sent Highlanders packing with a convincing 3-1 victory.

However, since Norman Mapeza took over the reigns from Lloyd Mutasa in August, he has been in charge of nine league games, winning five, drawing twice and losing two.

And coming from a 2-0 win over Chicken Inn, FC Platinum will be hoping to hand Hwange their second consecutive defeat after the coalminers were beaten 1-0 by Triangle.

Shabanie v Highlanders
Sunday, November 9)
After ending their six-match winless streak in the league by beating Chiredzi 2-1 on Monday, Highlanders will want to continue on that note when they face Shabanie Mine who are fighting for survival.

The last time the two met at Maglas Stadium last season, Bosso thumped their opponents 3-0 and in the first leg on the 2014 season, Highlanders emerged 4-0 victors.
Highlanders, who are aiming for a strong finish to their campaign, might continue with their integration programme that saw five Under-23 players — Gabriel Nyoni, Knox Mutizwa, King Nadolo, Godfrey Makaruse and Mgcini Sibanda featuring in their win against Chiredzi. The zeal showed by the youngsters excited Bosso fans who seem to acknowledge the rebuilding exercise.

Basically, in going to Zvishavane Highlanders have nothing to lose and that might ease off some pressure on them and it will be Shabanie Mine, smarting from two successive defeats, who will be feeling the heat as they are only third from the bottom with 32 points. Should the former asbestos miners lose to Bosso and teams above them win, then they may kiss goodbye to topflight action this weekend.

Caps United-Harare City
(Sunday, November 9)
The Green Machine have already sealed their top four finish but would want to cement their third position by adding more woes to Harare City who have lost all their last four league games and have slid into the murky relegation waters.

Harare City had shown promise after Masimba Dinyero took over but that steam has run out as they find themselves tied on 34 points with Black Rhinos, Triangle and Chapungu all staring the axe.

What makes life even more difficult for Harare City is that Caps United have never lost at home this season, with their defeat at the National Sports Stadium being against Dynamos when they were the away team.

Caps United’s spirits are high after their weekend 1-2 win over Buffaloes in Mutare and Harare City have to find a way of motivating their players after their 2-3 loss to ZPC Kariba.