IT might be early days, but the race for the top spot in the Castle Lager Premier Soccer League between Highlanders and FC Platinum — both handled by Zambians — is certainly taking shape.
Report by Sports Reporter
These two protagonists meet on Saturday at Mandava Stadium in Zvishavane, which will be the highlight of Week Nine, pitting the tacticians from the north — Kelvin Kaindu and Tenant Chilumba.
Only a goal difference separates them —both on 19 points and having hit the nets 16 times.
Highlanders cruised to a 3-0 victory over army side Buffaloes at Barbourfields at the weekend to dislodge Platinum from the summit of the league table while Pure Platinum Play edged Tripple B 1-0.
Bosso had it all easy with an own goal from Buffaloes’ Petros Matizanadzo setting the pace before Mthulisi Maphosa’s second and Milton Ncube’s spectacular third sealing the three points.
Platinum, on the other hand, had birthday boy Mitchelle Katsvairo to thank for the late winner against the Beitbridge side to take their season’s winnings to six matches. While Katsvairo scored the much-needed goal, the potency of Joel Ngodzo, Charles Sibanda, Ali Sadiki and last year’s Golden Boot winner Nelson Maziwisa cannot be underestimated.
Highlanders have been defeated once, by Motor Action (1-0), while Platinum’s only loss came at the hands of neighbours Shabanie Mine (1-0).
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Interestingly, both Highlanders and Platinum have drawn once against champions Dynamos. Highlanders were held to a 1-1 draw while FC Platinum settled for a 2-2 draw.
Despite the comprehensive loss to Highlanders, Buffaloes still have a big say in the race as they are placed third on the table with 15 points, having won five and lost three.
Football pundits though will tell you that the league race has just begun and a look at the next six fixtures, which will confine champions Dynamos to Harare, will certainly determine the direction the race will take. This Sunday, after their 3-0 demolition of Monomotapa, Dynamos host troubled Hwange followed by the fierce Harare Derby against Caps United (away).
Harare City will be next followed by Motor Action (away) before a clash with army side Black Rhinos to complete five weeks in the capital.
Dynamos will then take a breather with a trip to Buffaloes before returning home to wrap up the first round with a tie against How Mine. Their opponents, Highlanders and Platinum, will be week in, week out in Harare.
Kalisto Pasuwa’s men have dropped 12 points from six draws, but after their victory over Monomotapa at the weekend, the champions believe they are now ready to defend their title, thanks to Washington Pakamisa’s five goals in three matches.
The former Caps United man could turn out to be what the doctor ordered for Pasuwa after the well-documented failures of the likes of Patrick Khumbula, Allan Tavarwisa and Francisco Zekumbawira.
Zekumbawira has been affected by injuries and his full potential is yet to be seen after his expensive $15 000 season’s loan from Hwange.
Caps United continue to blow hot and cold. After a 3-2 defeat to Shabanie Mine, they find themselves in seventh position on the table just a rung below their rivals.
Taurai Mangwiro’s men have the same number of points as Dynamos, but have an inferior goal difference. They have won four matches and lost four and will need to start collecting points to put their campaign back on track.
The Green Machine is in Triangle this weekend against outspoken coach Gishon Ntini’s men and any loss will set off the 2012 alarm bells.
