TOUGH FINISH TO PSL

Sport
WITH the title seemingly heading to new boys ZPC Kariba following their 2-1 victory over defending champions Dynamos in Harare on Saturday, it has been a different scenario for Southern and Central Region team.

WITH the title seemingly heading to new boys ZPC Kariba following their 2-1 victory over defending champions Dynamos in Harare on Saturday, it has been a different scenario for Southern and Central Region team.Castle_Lager_Premier_Soccer_League

SUKOLUHLE MTHETHWA SPORTS REPORTER

Highlanders, Chicken Inn, Hwange, FC Platinum, Shabanie Mine, Bantu Rovers and Chapungu are the southern and central region representatives in the Castle Lager Premier Soccer League (PSL).

Of the seven, FC Platinum booked a berth in the Mbada Diamonds Cup following their 1-0 victory over Hwange at the Colliery Stadium on Sunday joining ZPC Kariba, Dynamos and Caps United in the top four.news_bmbada-diamonds

Despite making it into the top four, the Zvishavane side struggled at some point in the league until they parted ways with Lloyd Mutasa and brought in former Warriors coach Norman Mapeza.

However, they have done well to book a slot in the Mbada Diamonds Cup which is being played under a new format this year, having managed to bag 17 points to add to the 31 point tally left by Mutasa.

With one game to go before the season wraps up, FC Platinum are fourth on the log table with 48 points from 29 games and will easily finish on 51 points as their last match is at home against already-relegated Chiredzi.

In fact, Platinum can even finish in third position if Caps United lose to ZPC Kariba in their last game of the season.

Chicken Inn are fifth with 44 points, Hwange sixth with 42 points while Highlanders have the same number of points, but are below because of an inferior goal difference.

How Mine are on position eight with 40 points while Chapungu are on position nine.

Chicken Inn also found the going tough at some stage in the league as they went six games winless until striker Ishmael Lawe handed their beleaguered coach Joey Antipas a 1-0 win over Hwange in a PSL league match at Luveve Stadium in August.

The GameCocks recovered, but a few slip ups saw the Antipas-coached side lose out on an opportunity to compete in the Mbada Diamonds Cup.

Results have not been coming for the fallen Bulawayo giants Highlanders.

Bosso have a date against ninth-placed Chapungu at Hartsfield Rugby Ground in their last game of the season.

On the other hand, Chapungu need a win because they are on 37 points with Triangle although they have a superior goal difference.

A win would see Bosso finishing with 45 points while a loss could be bad for the Bulawayo side if eighth-placed How Mine win against Dynamos.

However, How Mine could be in for a tough challenge as Dynamos could still win the league if ZPC Kariba losses to Caps United and they win against the Metallon Gold-sponsored side.

Since Luke Masomere took over the reins at How Mine, the team has not lost a league match, a factor that could motivate them to get a positive result in Harare.

luke-masomere
Luke Masomere

Masomere, a former Dynamos coach — said How Mine would not be relegated, a feat which he has achieved.

Despite collecting maximum points after their 2-1 victory over Highlanders at Maglas Stadium on Sunday, Shabanie Mine need maximum points in their last encounter against Triangle.

The matches could be tough as Harare City need to beat Chicken Inn while Shabanie Mine would be fighting for a win against Triangle, hoping that the Harare municipal side loses.

Black Rhinos will be targeting victory against relegated Bantu Rovers although they might wish for Shabanie Mine and Harare City to lose.

Week 30 fixtures: Dynamos v How Mine, Buffaloes v Hwange, ZPC Kariba v Caps United, Highlanders v Chapungu, Harare City v Chicken Inn, FC Platinum v Chiredzi , Black Rhinos v Bantu Rovers, Triangle v Shabanie Mine