Castle Lager Matchday 25 Round-Up
By Perkins-Tino Bare
The Gamecocks
stamped their paws on the league title race in all but three minutes
as they once again retained their 7 point lead at the summit of the
table with just 5 games to go. The Gamecocks had to rely on some late
drama to see off a stubborn How Mine as Dynamos failed to capitalise
on them playing later than the the other protagonists in the race.
They were held to a draw by the owners of the stadium at Rufaro
Stadium as Harare City made its way to that top 4 finish whilst Caps
Uniited and Triangle lost their way in that race. FC Platinum also
kept their heads in the race as they saw off Division 1 bound Dongo
Sawmill. At the other end of the table its still the newboys who are
set to go back down with Buffaloes not yet safe as they are just 3
points off the relegation zone.
Gamecocks March
On
Chicken Inn marched
towards their maiden title in a Bulawayo derby as they saw off How
Mine 2-1
in a match played
Saturday at Luveve stadium. The Gamecocks had to coome form behind as
How Mine had taken the lead as early as the 8th minute
after Tembani Masuku netted in a set-piece.How Mine then went on to
dominate the game and it all seemed to be falling apart for Joey
Antipas especially with Gilbert Banda and Devon Chafa beating
strongly at the heart of defence.
It was when two
quick goals inside 3 minutes changed the outcome of the game itself,
first it was the Gamecocks` golden boys Passmore Benard and Edmore
Chirambadare who combined in the 87th minute for the
latter` 11th goal of the season. The two have been
consistent thorughout this season and if Gamecocks are to go all the
way as it seems it would be on the back of these two.
Chicken Inn
continued to press and it was when Moses Jackson found Toto (not the
band) in the box that they found that all important lead which came
just at the opportune time with a couple of minutes to go before the
match was ended.
Gamecocks` coach was
relieved as he could not hide his joy, "I knew we would come
back. We struggled in the first half but took control in the second
half and came back from the jaws of defeat. We have to show this kind
of character if we are to win the championship. It is good to get
back to our winning ways and we have to continue to the business
end," Antipas said in a post-match interview with a local daily.
The losing gaffer Jermiah Makota blamed the loss on whta was the
defining moment of the game, their late red card which changed the
whole complpexion of the game but he praised his boys for playing a
good game overally.
FC Platinum ensured
that they remain in touch with the Gamecocks as they were in no
nonsense mood seeing off Whawha 3-0. FC platinum has managed to
remain positive in the league race and this is one team that could
realistically spoil the chicken party that is already starting. The
crucial match will be against the Gamecocks themselves in what is set
to the title decider.
Glamour Boys
Falter
Dynamos failed to
keep up with the pace as they were held by Harare City in a match
that was unfairly played on a Sunday after the rest of the title
chasing teams had played on Saturday. It was another goalless affair
at Rufaro Stadium as they failed to get that crucial win they needed
which left them 7 points adrift of the log leaders with 5 games to
play.
“I think we
dominated the whole match. The guys fought hard. They did everything
to win the match, but it wasn’t our day. I think we have one of the
most reliable strike forces in the country in Takesure and Roderick.
They tried their best today, they got into scoring positions, but
here we are at the end of the day, we have nothing. They did their
best and that is football. We just have to move on” Dynamos gaffer
Tonderayin Ndiraya said in an post-match interview with a local
daily.
“We will keep
fighting. We still have five games to go, but like I said in previous
interviews, it’s not in our hands anymore and we would still want
to continue pushing hard and see where we are at the end of the
season. It’s for FC Platinum and Chicken Inn to lose. But we are
not throwing in the towel yet. We will keep fighting, working hard
until we finish our games,” he then added.
Newboys Going
Down?
Highlanders eased the relegation worries as they beat Dongo Sawmill
2-0 in a match played at Barbourfields stadium yesterday. The fading
giants got their lead form Obadiah Tarumbwa before Kutsanzira doubled
the lead before half time with a beautiful half-volley. The win
places Highlanders on 10th position, 8 points off the
relegation zone.
Highalnders gaffer Cosmas Zulu gave credit to the combination of
Tarumbwa, Matema and Mutizwa and vowed that his only mandate is to
keep the team floating in the league which is a rather sad
development at the once famed Bulawayo giants.
ZPC Kariba made their intent to stay in the top-flight heard as they
beat resurgin Caps 2-1 at Nyamhunga stadium pushing them 7 points
above Flame Lily which is currently the highest placed to go down.
Buffaloes were held to a 1-1 draw by Thsolotsho who are still
fiighting as well to stay up.
The losses to Whawha and Dongo Sawmill did not do them any justice as
they remain rooted at the bottom of the log with 2 points apiece. It
is rather boring in terms of the teams that are going to go down wiht
them as it looks poised to be a tussle between the newboys Tsholotsho
and Flame Lily to try and swap their seats with Buffalose which is
seated just 3 points above the relegation zone.
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