FC PLATINUM coach Norman Mapeza has urged his players to maintain focus ahead of their final three matches in their intriguing title race with log leaders Chicken Inn.
BY FORTUNE MBELE
The platinum miners closed the gap to two points to Chicken Inn on Saturday when they beat Harare City 2-0 at Mandava Stadium, while the GameCocks dropped two points, as they settle for a 1-1 draw against relegation-threatened WhaWha at Ascot Stadium.
Chicken Inn are on 54 points, with Platinum trailing on 52 points, as the league takes yet another break to make way for the NetOne-sponsored EasyCall Top 8 Cup at the weekend.
“The most important thing is to remain focused and try to win all our remaining games and see what happens at the end. Winning the last three games is more important for us,” Mapeza said.
The Zvishavane-based outfit takes on relegation-fighting Flame Lily in their next league match at Lafarge Stadium in Harare, before their last two encounters against Caps United at home and away to Dongo Sawmill, who have been relegated from the top-flight.
Dongo officially bade farewell to the elite league after they lost 5-1 to Triangle at Gibbo Stadium on Sunday.
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Chicken Inn’s next assignment is against Tsholotsho at White City Stadium.
Tsholotsho fancy their survival chances after they pulled three points clear off the drop zone with a 1-0 win over Hwange at the Colliery on Sunday.
The Joey Antipas-coached Chicken Inn date Harare City at home after that, before ending the season at Lafarge against Flame Lily.
They know that with Platinum pushing hard behind, they will need to collect maximum points in all their remaining matches to avoid a heartbreak, having led for so long during the season.
Tsholotsho could be the only team that was promoted this year to stay up in the top-flight, as Buffaloes sunk deeper into the relegation zone.
Tsholotsho have amassed 29 points, three more than Buffaloes (26) who are in the bottom four, while Fame Lily (24), WhaWha (21) and Dongo who are on 18 points anchor the log.
Tsholotsho head coach, Lizwe Sweswe said it was still game on.
“The fight is still on. We have not survived yet,” he said.
They, however, have three tough fixtures against Chicken Inn, away to Highlanders before Harare City.
The relegation battle is turning out to be as exciting as the title push, as Tsholotsho refuse to give up their place easily.
