Chrome Stars brushed off match-fixing allegations being levelled against them by Hardbody when they restricted Zifa Central Soccer League title contenders Tripple B to a 1-1 draw in a match played at Chrome Stadium on Saturday.
Leaders Hardbody went into panic mode last week when they were also held to a similar scoreline by Chrome Stars the previous Saturday, claiming a delegation from Tripple B had masterminded the draw by offering bribes to match officials and Chrome Stars coach Gatsi Munkombwe.
But on Saturday, Chrome Stars denied Tripple B a win to allow Hardbody to reclaim their five-point lead at the top which had been reduced to three.
The Tavaka Gumbo-coached side also did themselves a favour by thrashing FC Glow Petroleum 3-1 at Ascot Stadium on Saturday to move a step closer to clinching a top-flight league spot.
Hardbody have 58 points atop while Tripple B are trailing with 53 as the league draws to a conclusion with five games remaining. They are only 10 points out of a possible 15, shy of being declared Premiership newcomers.
Third-placed Tongogara limited their chances of catching up with the leaders after sharing one goal apiece with Ziscosteel at Amaveni Stadium on the same day.
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They are nine points behind Hardbody. Chapungu got three free points from a no-match against expelled Rutendo Stars, but the airmen are already out of the race.
Relegation-haunted Gweru Pirates’ ship continued to sink in stormy waters with a 3-1 defeat at Silo United. FC Platinum Under-19 team are close to gaining promotion from the Midlands Division 2A league, but their weekend match against Hwahwa was abandoned due to violence.