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NewsDay

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Battle for top:Castle Lager PSL

Sport
ZPC KARIBA have the biggest chance of ending the day at the top of the Castle Lager Premier Soccer League.

ZPC KARIBA have the biggest chance of ending the day at the top of the Castle Lager Premier Soccer League when they face rock-bottom, faction-riddled Chiredzi Football Club at Gwanzura Stadium in the event that defending champions Dynamos  fail to beat Chicken Inn at Barbourfields.

WELLINGTON TONI

Saul Chaminuka’s unbeaten side lies in fifth place with 20 points and could move to 23 if they win what seems to be an easy fixture. They average a goal per game and have managed 13 in 12 matches, leading them to four wins and eight draws.

The Chiredzi cast, coached and directed by Moses Chunga, who last week called his executive fishmongers, have one win, three draws and eight losses this season.

If a Houdini Act still exists, then perhaps Chunga’s troops can start showing signs that they can escape the chop.

At Barbourfields, it’s not that Dynamos do not have the capabilities of beating Chicken Inn — they beat Highlanders last week —  but statics weigh heavily against them.

Dynamos beat the GameCocks 1-0 at Rufaro before a goalless draw in the return leg in 2011. The following season, Chicken Inn lost 2-1 away, but won 1-0 in the reverse fixture in Bulawayo after Dynamos conceded an own goal.

Last year, the two teams drew 1-1 and 2-2.

However, Dynamos manager Richard Chihoro told our sister paper Southern Eye that they are coming out with the three points at Barbourfields today.

“There is always a first time and we are coming there to win on Saturday (tomorrow). We are definitely collecting maximum points on Saturday at BF, our second home ground. We are ready for the match and we don’t have any injuries in camp,” Chihoro said.

Dynamos have literally made Barbourfields their second home ground in the past and Chicken Inn can be rest assured that they won’t have it easy against the defending champions.

They have the players to win the BF match-Washington Pakamisa has broken his duck while Tafadzwa Rusike and Patrick Khumbula need to come to the party. Young Anesu Gondo cannot carry the Dynamos brand.

Chicken Inn will miss Danny Phiri who is away for trials at Polokwane City in South Africa, but they still have Thomas Chimenya, Canaan Nkomo, Ramson Zhuwawo, Ishmael Lawe and veteran former Soccer Star of the Year Clemence Matawu.

At Mandava Stadium this afternoon, FC Platinum will seek to arrest their unconvincing season with a win against Bantu Rovers.

Despite the wealth of talent and resources, Lloyd Mutasa has failed to push Pure Platinum Play into, at least the top four, and he needs a win this afternoon heading into the double header against their Shabanie Mine in the next two weeks.

Nelson Maziwisa, Stephen Sibanda and Tarisai Rukanda have been off-colour since the start of the season, forcing Mutasa to turn his attention to Caps’ forceful striker Dominic Chungwa in the coming transfer window.

Harare City, rocked by leadership struggles at the start of the season, are back home against Shabanie Mine and three more points will certainly make them safe from relegation.

Last Friday, City picked up a win at Chapungu, but need maximum points to take them, at least, two rungs up the ladder.

Tomorrow, focus turns on Highlanders who are winless in three matches, having drawn against FC Platinum and Triangle before losing 1-0 to Dynamos last Sunday, as they engage army side Black Rhinos.

While coach Kelvin Kaindu has done all he could, the players have not responded in the “Highlanders” way of making Barbourfields Stadium the hard hat area it has always been known for in the decade.

Losing or drawing at home, for Bosso fans, is the same and Rhinos should come prepared for a backlash from the former champions.

Rising Caps United have a big battle on their hands when they face league leaders, Nation Dube’s Hwange at the National Sports Stadium. Caps are unbeaten at home while Hwange lost their first home game last week to Chicken Inn, and this, being a game of football, anything can happen.

Caps United could also end the weekend at the top while Chicken Inn, if they win convincingly and results elsewhere go in their favour, might be at the top.

Second-placed How Mine, under the tutelage of Philani Ncube, are at Gibbo to face troubled Triangle and a win, coupled by results from elsewhere, rise to the top or keep pace with the leader.

Buffaloes, rocked by the resignation of affable secretary-general Tendai Chitowa, are in desperate need of points against Chapungu.