TITLE rivals Dynamos and Highlanders, still pondering over lost points following their drawn match at the weekend, face tricky fixtures on Wednesday with the Harare giants travelling to relegation-threatened police side Black Mambas at Morris Depot while the Bulawayo giants host army side Buffaloes at Barbourfields.
Report by Sports Correspondent
The two teams settled for a 1-1 draw in the league match at Rufaro on Sunday to set up a nail-biting conclusion to the season as they remained separated by just two points with only four matches of the campaign left.
Dynamos still lead the league table with 59 points from 26 matches while Highlanders trail behind with 57 points from the same number of matches.
But the reigning Premier Soccer League champions are aware that any slip up at this stage could dent their chances of laying their hands on the league title for the second year running.
After failing to grab maximum points against Highlanders which could have seen them opening a five-point lead at the top, they certainly can’t afford to lose more points against Black Mambas as such a scenario would all but end their interests in the title chase.
But then, Black Mambas, in 11th position from the bottom on the league table, are in danger of being dropped from the topflight league and will be ready to bite in order to survive.
Their 3-2 defeat to Monomotapa at the weekend has not helped matters for John Ncube’s side.
- 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
Highlanders coach Kelvin Kaindu also knows the threat posed by army side Buffaloes. The Saul Chaminuka-coached side is on seventh position on the league table with 41 points, which is clear testimony of their pedigree having won promotion into the topflight league last season.
And Highlanders can only underestimate them at their own peril.
The Mutare-based side, who earned a crucial point against Hwange at home on Sunday, are also fancying their chances of a top-four finish and beating Highlanders will be something really special for Chaminuka’s men, who have a good away record.
Only Monomotapa has managed to beat Highlanders this season after handing them a 3-0 defeat a 23-match unbeaten run.
Meanwhile, Caps United’s revival under coaches Taurai Mangwiro and Mkhuphali Masuku comes under scrutiny again tomorrow when they face Harare City at Rufaro.
Fixtures Wednesday: Black Mambas vs Dynamos (Morris Depot); Harare City vs CAPS United (Rufaro); Hwange vs Hardbody (Colliery); Chicken Inn vs Blue Rangers (Luveve); Shabanie Mine vs FC Platinum (Maglas); Highlanders vs Buffaloes (Barbourfields); Gunners vs Monomotapa (Larfarge), Motor Action vs Quelaton (Motor Action Sports Club)
