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Ricky Zililo, Senior Sports Reporter
IT’S dog eat dog as the survival battle in the Castle Lager Premier Soccer League intensifies.
While focus might be on the clash of the titans between Highlanders and Dynamos in Bulawayo tomorrow, the weekend programme is pregnant with exciting fixtures involving relegation threatened teams.
The nine clubs that cannot afford any slip up this weekend are Chapungu, who are tied on 23 points with How Mine and Triangle United, Shabanie Mine level on 22 points with Black Rhinos, Bulawayo-based Chicken Inn (21), Harare City (19), Bantu Rovers (16) and Chiredzi (11).

Second from the bottom Bantu Rovers’ coach Methembe Ndlovu, who saw his charges surrender a slender 1-0 lead to share the spoils with FC Platinum after their 1-1 draw on Wednesday, remains optimistic that they will escape the axe.

Tomorrow, Bantu Rovers take on wounded Buffaloes at Sakubva Stadium in Mutare. Buffaloes were clobbered 2-1 by Chapungu in Gweru on                                        Wednesday.

“What is important is that we must start collecting maximum points sooner than later. We should have won the game against FC Platinum but just a lapse of concentration at the back let us down. I have confidence in the players and from my own assessment I believe we have the best talent in the group that is fighting for survival.

“On a positive note, we welcome back seasoned Hebert Dick and Zephaniah Ngodzo who missed the FC Platinum game due to suspension and they will be vital in shaping as well as guiding the team from the back,” said Ndlovu.

He is aware that a defeat in Mutare will further sink them towards the deep end which might prove difficult to come out of.
Two other City of Kings teams How Mine and Chicken Inn have what appear to be tough assignments with the gold miners travelling to Zvishavane to face FC Platinum while the Gamecocks, who are just fourth from the bottom, are at home to fired up Hwange on Sunday.

How Mine were humbled at home by Triangle United 0-2, a result that left them still searching for their first win after seven weeks.
It will not be easy for How Mine to come out of Mandava with maximum points as they have to summon all their best to outclass FC Platinum who are also hungry for results.

“It will be a tough game against FC Platinum but what we have to do is to go there with a positive mind. The game against Triangle is water under the bridge and we have to improve on our attitude. What we need is an early goal to calm the nerves.

“We have to approach the remaining games as if they are cup finals so that we pull ourselves up,” said How Mine coach Philani “Beefy” Ncube.
Joey Antipas’ Gamecocks are upbeat following their 1-1 draw with defending champions Dynamos in Harare with their  coach admitting that competition is stiff.

“This season’s race is very tight. All the teams are close to each other meaning that you lose one game you drop and that is not what we want to do.
“There is a tight schedule ahead of us and we have to keep our heads up and make sure that we get ourselves out of this mess that we got ourselves into,” said Antipas.

Tomorrow, Chapungu travel to the capital for a date with Harare City who are swimming in the murky relegation waters needing a point to avoid dropping down the ladder following their 2-1 midweek victory over Buffaloes who are on 24 points.

Harare City, who finished last season on position three, tied on points with champions Dynamos and first runners-up Highlanders, have failed to reproduce their 2013 form and on Wednesday got a valuable point when they held Shabanie Mine to a 2-2 draw.

Relegation favourites Chiredzi FC, who are at the bottom of the 16-team table, almost put to a halt ZPC Kariba’s unbeaten run as they played to a 1-1 draw at Chishamiso Stadium on Saturday.

Fixtures
Tomorrow: Highlanders v Dynamos (Barbourfields, 3PM SuperSport), Buffaloes v Bantu Rovers (Sakubva), Harare City v Chapungu (Rufaro), Triangle United v Black Rhinos (Gibbo), FC Platinum v How Mine (Mandava), ZPC Kariba v Shabanie Mine (Gwanzura)
Sunday: Caps United v Chiredzi (Rufaro), Chicken Inn v Hwange (Luveve, 3PM SuperSport)