HARARE City coach Bigboy Mawiwi has told his players to remain calm and tackle their remaining four league assignments with hunger as the race for the Castle Lager Premier Soccer League title reaches boiling point.
Tawanda Tafirenyika Sports Correspondent
Dynamos and Harare City lead the race on 48 points with Highlanders on third with 47 points after the Bulawayo giants were dislodged from the summit following a 0-1 home defeat to Dynamos on Sunday.
Harare City are bidding to win their first championship since gaining promotion into the topflight league two seasons ago. They seem to have tricky remaining fixtures like the two other title contenders, DeMbare and Bosso.
The City Fathers will travel to Kadoma to face relegation-threatened army side Black Rhinos who have for a long time kept a clean sheet at their new base, Rimuka Stadium, until two weeks ago when they fell 0-3 to Highlanders.
They also have two tough assignments against Highlanders and Caps United before facing Division One-bound Motor Action on the last day.
But Mawiwi said the fact that his team is at the top with just four matches remaining in the campaign — the first time he has found himself in that position, has given him the hope.
However, Harare City have been hit by injuries to key players ahead of their trip to Rimuka with defenders Willard Kalongonda, Witness Nyamutsaka and Crispen Dickson set to miss the crucial tie. Midfielder Godfrey Nguwodzawo is also on the treatment table. But Mawiwi remains confident.
- Chamisa under fire over US$120K donation
- Mavhunga puts DeMbare into Chibuku quarterfinals
- Pension funds bet on Cabora Bassa oilfields
- Councils defy govt fire tender directive
Keep Reading
“I am as hungry as ever. It’s my first time to be in this position at this stage of the championship race. In 2008 I was in a similar position when I was at Gunners but then it was in the middle of the season. I left Gunners in the middle of the season when they were in second position, but now it’s different because we are in second position with just four matches remaining.
“That has given us confidence that we could do it. No one expected us to be where we are right now so we don’t have any pressure. It’s the bigger teams who have got pressure as we reach the finishing line. I want to thank God for helping us to be in this position,” he said
“Our chairman Leslie Gwindi has also helped us a lot. We will continue to do our best in the remaining four matches and see what happens.”
Fixtures: Tomorrow How Mine v Hwange (Luveve), Black Mambas v Monomotapa (Morris Depot), Shabanie Mine v Tripple B (Maglas)
Sunday Triangle v Dynamos (Gibbo), Chicken Inn v FC Platinum (Luveve), Black Rhinos v Harare City (Rimuka), Motor Action v Highlanders (Rufaro), Buffaloes v Caps United (Sakubva)
