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Sikhumbuzo Moyo Senior Sports Reporter
TSHOLOTSHO’s dream of surviving the dreaded chop from the Castle Lager Premier Soccer League moved closer to reality on Sunday.

A stunning free kick by skipper William Stima secured them maximum points against Hwange at the Colliery Stadium and raised their hopes for survival.

The 66th minute wonder goal propelled Iziqholo zeZhwane to 29 points, leaving them needing six points from their last three ties of the season to steer to safety.

Six points will take Tsholotsho to 35 points, the maximum number of points that relegation battle opponents Buffaloes can get to at the end of the season.

So far, only Dongo Sawmill have been confirmed relegated following their 1-5 drubbing by Triangle, but the other three drop slots have not been quite settled although they are presently occupied by Whawha, Flame Lily and Buffaloes.

Tsholotsho head coach Lizwe Sweswe was elated by the win but declared that the battle is still on right up to the end.

“The battle is still on. We have to fight until the last game. We have indoctrinated that spirit of survival to the boys. I have been very clear with them that we must and we should stay in the PSL because if we get relegated, chances of coming back will be very slim,” said Sweswe.

Iziqholo zeZhwane take on championship favourites Chicken Inn in their next league match while Buffaloes play host to Sunday Chidzambwa’s ZPC Kariba.

Tsholotsho’s fate can be confirmed in their next match if they win and Buffaloes lose to ZPC Kariba.

Buffaloes coach Saul Chaminuka is still optimistic of survival.

“We still believe we have enough chances to survive. This is football and anything can happen,” said Chaminuka.

Joe Antipas’ Chicken Inn picked up a point on the road on Saturday, coming from behind to draw 1-1 with Whawha at Ascot Stadium. Toto Banda scored the all important equaliser right at the death.

The draw saw the Gamecocks’ lead at the top reduced to just two points by FC Platinum, who dispatched Harare City 2-0 at Mandava Stadium.

The race now looks to be a two-team battle as third placed Dynamos are six points behind Chicken Inn with three games to go, setting the stage for the Castle Lager Premiership title to return to the Southern Region in nearly a decade.

Highlanders were the last team from the region to win the league title in 2006.

DeMbare’s ruthless stranglehold on the domestic league title for the past four years also seems to have come to an end.

Norman Mapeza’s FC Platinum travel to Harare for a date with relegation candidates Flame Lily, who have not lost a game in their last two matches, although the platinum miners are in a league of their own.

The Zvishavane side has not lost a league match since their 0-1 defeat by Dynamos in May.

Meanwhile, Bulawayo giants Highlanders’ late win over Buffaloes on Sunday ensured the Bulawayo giants are now guaranteed of continued presence in the elite league.

Buffaloes, who are 13th on the standings and occupy the last relegation slot, can only end the season with 35 points, but need an incredible scoring rate for them overturn their negative 17 goal difference to better Bosso’s plus four in the event that they win all their remaining three matches and the Bulawayo side loses all.

With survival now guaranteed, stand-in coach Amini Soma-Phiri can now afford the luxury of throwing in rookies as the club begins its rebuilding path for the 2016 season and beyond.

Watched by their next boss, Dutchman Erol Akbay, Highlanders grabbed all the three points through a well taken 90th minute goal by skipper Obadiah Tarumbwa.

Akbay felt Bosso need to steel their midfield for them to reclaim their invincibility.

“The team played well even though there were areas where I think they were lacking, especially in the midfield, hence the reason why the ball was always with the defenders or strikers, but it’s something that can be corrected,” said Akbay, when asked about his first impressions of the team.

Tsholotsho’s last three matches:

At home to Chicken Inn, away to Highlanders, home to Harare City

Buffaloes’ last three matches:

At home to ZPC Kariba, away to Triangle, home to Dynamos

Chicken Inn’s last three matches:

Away to Tsholotsho, home to Harare City, away to Flame Lily

FC Platinum’s last three matches:

Away to Flame Lily, home to Caps United, away to Dongo Sawmill