AFTER 29 thrilling rounds in the Castle Lager Premier Soccer League, it all comes down to ZPC Kariba versus Caps United at Gwanzura Stadium and Dynamos versus How Mine at Rufaro Stadium tomorrow afternoon.
HENRY MHARA SPORTS REPORTER
The two matches, together with all the other six league matches will kick-off at the same time at 1500hrs, so twists and turns in both the title race and relegation battle are expected until around 1700hrs.
With second placed Dynamos ready to pounce in case of a slip-up, log leaders ZPC Kariba will look to seize the title in their maiden season in the league by beating Caps United.
After a campaign that has seen Dynamos, Highlanders (who wilted away in the run-in) and ZPC all spend time as front runners, the latter is now only a point away from the title, thanks to a come from behind 2-1 victory over Dynamos a fortnight ago.
Although ZPC Kariba, on 56 points, leads Dynamos by only two points, their superior goal difference of +18 to +14 means that a draw against Caps United could still be enough.
It is a situation not very different to the one that confronted Harare City and Dynamos on the final day of the campaign last season, when the former wanted three points against Caps United, but drew the match and the Glamour Boys gratefully capitalised.
This time around, the situation is almost straightforward as ZPC Kariba might just need to avoid defeat against the Green Machine to clinch the title, but the team’s coach Saul Chaminuka, speaking to NewsDay Sport this week, used last year’s scenario as a warning sign that his side cannot afford to ignore.
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“Our target is to win the match because a draw might not give us anything. We will not risk by playing for a draw because anything can happen in the Dynamos-How Mine match. We just have to get an outright win to be safe,” said Chaminuka.
Having seen their title challenge compromised by frustrating draws against Chapungu and Bantu Rovers in recent times, Dynamos, however, virtually surrendered the chance to retain the title when they lost the “title decider match” against ZPC Kariba.
Nonetheless, if they beat How Mine and Caps United – their fiercest rivals – get a result against ZPC Kariba, then the Kalisto Pasuwa-coached side will secure their fourth straight league title.
Caps United will be under the charge of assistant coach Mike Madzivanyika for this match as coach Taurai Mangwiro is away in Cameroon where he is attending a Fifa course.
Mangwiro left for West Africa on Tuesday for a Fifa elite instructors’ course, together with Zifa technical director Maxwell Takaendesa Jongwe.
Caps United, who currently on third position have already qualified for the Mbada Diamonds Cup by finishing in the top four and the result of Sunday’s match will not alter their status.
If they move, it will be from third to fourth place in the event fourth placed FC Platinum beat already relegated Chiredzi at Mandava Stadium.
A section of Caps United fans have said they would rather see their team lose the match and surrender the third spot, if it means that Dynamos would lose out on the Premier League title, but Madzivanyika said his side would remain professional.
“We have everything to play for and we are treating the match like any other game. We should fight and try to finish in the best possible position on the log and as it stands that position is number three… so we have number three to play for. Besides, we are a big team and we have a name, and a brand to protect,” said Madzivanyika.
He added: “Some fans might want us to lose the match for their self-aggrandisement, but as coaches and players our job is to play and remain professional. It’s very important that we win the match and all the players are working hard at training. We are going to give it our best.
“It will also be a special moment for me on a personal level as I will be coaching the team, a very big team, so I would not want to soil my CV by giving away the match mainly because some supporters want Dynamos to lose. What if we lose the match and Dynamos lose theirs too?”
Chaminuka’s side are the front runners in the race, but history has shown that Dynamos will not give up the fight easily and could snatch the title from ZPC Kariba’s grasp tomorrow.
Stranger things have happened in this league, and everywhere else before, and ZPC Kariba, even in their current status, have not won the title yet.
