FC Platinum could lift their maiden top-flight football title tomorrow if they beat title rivals Ngezi Platinum Stars at Mandava Stadium and Dynamos fail to beat Bantu Rovers in another Castle Lager Premiership match at Barbourfields Stadium.
BY TAWANDA TAFIRENYIKA
Three teams are now involved in a fierce tussle for the ultimate prize of domestic football, after Chicken Inn, who won it in 2015, fell by the wayside on Wednesday.
With just two games left before the end of the campaign, it’s all pointing to a photo finish.
FC Platinum laboured to a 1-0 victory over relegated Tsholotsho at Barbourfields Stadium, with Rodwell Chinyengetere scoring the all-important goal that lifted the platinum miners to the summit of the league table, with just two more rounds of matches left in the campaign.
With Ngezi Platinum stumbling to a 2-2 draw at the Baobab, Dynamos took advantage when they overcame Bulawayo City 2-0 to ease into second place.
Ocean Mushure scored with a trade mark free kick before Quality Kangadzi sew up the contest, as the Glamour Boys maintained pressure in their bid to end a two-year championship drought.
But the weekend fixtures could decide who among the three title contenders will lay their hands on the coveted league title with FC Platinum now on top with 66 points likely to grab it for the first time in history.
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All they need is to win their fixure against Ngezi Platinum, who are third on the table with 64, and hope that Dynamos, in second place with 64 points, are held to a draw by Bantu Rovers and they will be crowned champions for the first time in history.
A win against Ngezi Platinum will take their points tally to 69 and even if Dynamos and Ngezi Platinum win their last matches against Chicken Inn (home) and Triangle (home) respectively they can only finish on 68 points
FC Platinum have endured the pain of being bridesmaids in the championship race and last season, they were beaten to the championship by Caps United by just two points.
The previous season, they also came close, only to falter at the last hurdle as Chicken Inn beat them to the finishing line after they drew their last three matches.
However, there is a strong feeling among their fans and coach Norman Mapeza that this could be their year, as they continue to collect maximum points at the crucial stage of the campaign.
Dynamos, on the other hand, can derail FC Platinum’s hope of a big party tomorrow if they win against Bantu, as it will mean that the championship would be decided on the very last day of the league programme.
The Glamour Boys have transformed themselves into a team with ambition as evidenced by their victory away to Bulawayo City even without some of their key players.
Dynamos were missing the services of their leading goalscorer Christian Ntouba Epoupa, who was suspended for the match for accumulating three yellow cards in previous matches, and midfielder Denver Mukamba, who has not been training with the team after he had been suspended over disciplinary issues.
They, however, still got the job done and as they face off already relegated Bantu Rovers, it’s highly unlikely that they will have any problems despatching them.
Dynamos coach Lloyd Mutasa came close to winning the championship when he was still at the helm of FC Platinum and this is the second time he has been close to lifting the championship in the top-flight league.
Every time he has been asked about his chances this time around, he has chosen to put everything in God’s hands.
Tonderai Ndiraya’s Ngezi Platinum Stars, too, can complicate things if they beat FC Platinum, as it would mean the championship would be decided on the very last day of the league.
Ndiraya will need to win the home match against Triangle and hope Dynamos fall to Chicken Inn in their last match of the campaign.
He came close to winning it with Dynamos in 2015, only to end runners-up to eventual winners Chicken Inn after finishing the campaign with 57 points, while the Gamecocks, then under the guidance of Joey Antipas, finished on 61 points.
Matches Tomorrow: FC Platinum v Ngezi Platinum FC (Mandava Stadium, 3pm, SS) Bantu Rovers FC v Dynamos FC (Barbourfields Stadium) Sunday: How Mine FC v Shabanie Mine FC (Luveve Stadium, 1pm, SS ),Chicken Inn FC v Chapungu FC (Luveve Stadium 3pm, SS), Caps United FC v Bulawayo City FC (National Sports Stadium), Yadah FC v Highlanders FC (Rufaro Stadium), Hwange FC v Harare City FC (Colliery Stadium), Black Rhinos FC v ZPC Kariba FC (Morris Depot Stadium), Triangle United v Tsholotsho FC (Gibbo Stadium)
