AS the battle for the championship race and qualification for the Mbada Diamonds Cup hots up, a tight contest is expected at Mandava Stadium tomorrow when ZPC Kariba clash with FC Platinum in a Castle Lager Premier Soccer League match.
SUKOLUHLE MTHETHWA SPORTS REPORTER
Teams that finish in the top four will feature in this year’s Mbada Diamonds Cup playing under a new format.
ZPC Kariba trail log leaders Dynamos by two points and would want to win tomorrow’s tie while FC Platinum are aware that they also have to collect maximum points as they fight for the Mbada Diamonds Cup competition slot.
The premier league debutants from Kariba who have made a mark in the league would also be wary of the outcome pitting defending champions Dynamos who are eyeing their fourth straight title. A ZPC Kariba draw or defeat on Saturday could work in Dynamos’ favour before they tackle Chapungu at Rufaro Stadium on Sunday.
Saul Chaminuka and his charges go into tomorrow’ match knowing that failure to get maximum points against FC Platinum could be an advantage to third-placed Caps United who are away to Triangle at Gibbo on Sunday.
Dynamos have collected 49 points, ZPC Kariba have 47 points while Caps United are two points behind ZPC from 25 games.
“FC Platinum are a good side and this is a very important game for them because they want to finish in the top four,” Chaminuka said.
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“I foresee a fiercely contested match on Saturday (tomorrow). FC Platinum will be enjoying home advantage. This means that they will be coming at us more.
“However, we are playing away from home, therefore, we are not under pressure. We need to win this tie because we need to finish in the top four so that we compete in the Mbada Diamonds Cup.”
The ZPC Kariba gaffer said they needed to pile pressure on Dynamos and Caps United.
“We have to win so that we maintain pressure on the leading team Dynamos. Caps United are behind us, but we are not under pressure.
We have reached our main target which was surviving relegation. A top-four finish would be a bonus to us,” he said.
Chaminuka has been crying foul over the yellow card that was given by referee Pedzisayi Chadya to Pride Tafirenyika in their last league match, ruling the player out of tomorrow’s match.
However, he said they were hoping that the player who would be selected to play in the absence of Tafirenyika would carry the day.
Platinum coach Norman Mapeza said he was ready for the tie.
“We are taking this game very seriously because we need to reach the top four,” he said.
“We respect every team in the league. We are always very confident when we play because all the teams are the same.”
FC Platinum goes into tomorrow’s match brimming with confidence following Saturday’s 1-0 victory over Black Rhinos at Rufaro Stadium, which guaranteed the Zvishavane side a slot in the final of the Chibuku Super Cup.
Fixtures Today: How Mine v Chiredzi (Hartsfield)
Tomorrow: Bantu Rovers v Shabanie Mine (Hartsfield), Black Rhinos v Hwange (Rimuka SS9), FC Platinum v ZPC Kariba (Mandava)
Sunday: Buffaloes v Harare City (Sakubva), Triangle v Caps United (Gibbo), Dynamos v Chapungu (Rufaro SS9), Highlanders v Chicken Inn (Hartsfield)
