The relegation battle is playing second fiddle to an intriguing Castle Lager Premier Soccer League (PSL) championship chase, but it’s providing its fair share of entertainment.
BY FORTUNE MBELE
The bottom four clubs are all playing their next round of ties away from home at the weekend in matches that could shape their destiny.
Tsholotsho FC, WhaWha, Flame Lily and Dongo Sawmill were all promoted into the top flight at the beginning of the season, but the going has not been easy as they have struggled to lift themselves out of the danger zone throughout the season.
Having started off the season with a bang, beating Harare City 1-0 at Rufaro Stadium in their first match, many would have thought Tsholotsho could string a few more such surprises in the league, but they flattered to deceive.
They travel to Sakubva Stadium in Mutare on Saturday for a date with Buffaloes, who are also sweating over their PSL status with just 25 points in the bag.
If Tsholotsho, who also made history by becoming the first top team to have a female assistant coach, Sithethelelwe “Kwinji 15” Sibanda, lose against Buffaloes at Sakubva, life becomes more difficult for the Lizwe Sweswe-coached outfit, who take on equally-troubled WhaWha in their next encounter at home.
Tsholotsho probably lacked vital top-flight experience at the beginning which prompted the roping-in of old horses Joel Luphahla, Siza Khoza and Danisa Phiri, but it was rather too late.
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They have roped in former Highlanders coach Bongani Mafu to assist Sweswe.
They play their last four games against Hwange (away), log leaders Chicken Inn at home, and Highlanders before they host in-form Harare City.
For WhaWha, on position 14 with 20 points and under veteran coach Lloyd Mutasa, it’s an uphill task on Saturday as they travel to Mandava Stadium for FC Platinum, who have their eyes set on the big prize as they tussle with Dynamos and Chicken Inn.
After Platinum, the prisons outfit is away to relegation warfare against Tsholotsho before hosting Chicken Inn.
Their last three matches are against Harare City, Flame Lily and Caps United.
Flame Lily are on position 15 with only three wins, 11 defeats and 10 draws and a paltry 19 points as they travel to Gibbo Stadium for a clash with fourth-placed Triangle on Sunday.
After the Kelvin Kaindu-coached Triangle, Flame Lily host defending league champions Dynamos, who are aiming for a fifth successive title, before travelling to Bulawayo for a clash with How Mine before travelling to Zvishavane where they face FC Platinum.
Their last two assignments are against WhaWha and Chicken Inn.
It will be a miracle for Rusape-based Dongo Sawmill to survive the chop, stuck at the bottom of the table with 18 points from three wins and nine draws. They have lost 12 matches as they brace for troubled Highlanders on Sunday before hosting ZPC Kariba and travelling to Gibbo for Triangle.
After Triangle, Dongo are home against Dynamos, away to How Mine and home to FC Platinum.
