AS the curtain comes down on the 2016 Castle Lager Premier Soccer League season, with only three matches left in the campaign, there is a dogfight at the basement of the table, with three teams — Tsholotsho, Mutare City and Chapungu — all staring relegation in the face.
BY TAWANDA TAFIRENYIKA
Two teams will be chopped at the end of the season and Border Strikers have already been relegated to Division One.
The Beitbridge side, promoted into the top-flight league last term, have managed a paltry 14 points from 27 matches, winning four, drawing two and losing 21, and even if they win their remaining matches, they can only secure 23 points, which will not be enough to rescue them from the chop.
This scenario leaves Tsholotsho, Mutare City and Chapungu fighting to repel relegation.
Tsholotsho, second from bottom with 23 points, face a tough trip to Barbourfields Stadium against Highlanders on Saturday, hoping to secure maximum points to enhance their chances of survival.
Tsholotsho coach, Lizwe Sweswe this week warned Highlanders to underestimate them at their own peril.
The Tsholotsho gaffer said they had reached a stage where football was exciting psychologically and physically.
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Highlanders, in second place on the league table with 53 points, one adrift of leaders Caps United, will be targeting maximum points to enhance their chances of winning the championship for the first time since 2006.
After the clash against Highlanders on Saturday, Tsholotsho will play Bulawayo City at home and FC Platinum away.
Mutare City, third from bottom with 25 points, make the trip to Harare to face Dynamos at Rufaro Stadium on Sunday looking for three points in their battle to escape the chop.
After that, they have Harare City at home and Ngezi Platinum away, both tricky hurdles in their survival battle. Chapungu, fourth from bottom with 31 points, are also in the relegation mix.
They host title contenders FC Platinum at Ascot Stadium this weekend.
Then there is the trip to the Colliery to face Hwange, before winding up their campaign with a home tie against log leaders Caps United.
