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Ricky Zililo, Senior Sports Reporter
IT’S do or die for Tongogara and TelOne when they clash in the final match of the Central Region Division One Soccer League, whose winner will be promoted into the Premiership.

The two, tied on 41 points after 21 games, with Tongogara at the top of the table because of a superior goal difference, clash in what is expected to be an explosive encounter tomorrow at Gweru’s Ascot Stadium.

Army side, Tongogara, are relishing another opportunity to return to the topflight after close to two decades in the wilderness.

They were relegated from the Premiership in 2000 and their coach Calvin Maphosa believes they have what it takes to bounce back into the big boys’ league.

Maphosa is bullish ahead of tomorrow’s clash against Joel Luphahla-coached TelOne who are seeking their maiden Premiership dance.

“We are good to go and the boys are very much ready. All we have to do is draw and we are back in the PSL. Like I said before, we don’t have pressure at all but pressure is on TelOne, who need an outright win for them to get the PSL ticket.

“We want to end the season in style by maintaining our unbeaten run on the road. We didn’t lose away this season and that is also a confidence booster for my boys. Last season we were beaten by Nichrut with two games left and we don’t want to repeat that mistake,” said Maphosa.

Should Tongogara beat TelOne to the PSL, that will mark the return of topflight action to Kwekwe who last played host to Premiership football in 2008 when now-defunct Lancashire Steel were relegated.

Luphahla said: “I’ll be lying if I say I’m not feeling the pressure because football is a pressure game. I’ve told my players that they are not under any form of pressure and all the pressure should be directed to me. I want them to go out there and enjoy their game, stick to whatever game plan we will take on Sunday. I’m happy that the boys have managed to effectively compete and push the title race to the wire.”

Tongogara and TelOne played to a 0-0 draw in the first leg.

Both teams head into tomorrow’s encounter bubbling with confidence following last weekend’s respective victories. Tongogara beat Sheasham 2-0 at home while TelOne picked valuable points on the road as they edged Blanket Mine 1-0 courtesy of a Mostafa Ponyera strike.

CSL Final fixture

Today:

-Whawha v Blanket Mine (Whawha)

-Vumbachikwe v Platinum Under-19 (Vumbachikwe)

-ZPC Munyati v Lesaffre (Munyati)

-Ivan Hoe Mine v MSU (Baghdad)

-Sheasham v Black Eagles (Mkoba)

Tomorrow:

-TelOne v Tongogara (Ascot)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

— @ZililoR