League preview

SUNDAY will be a defining moment for the Castle Lager Premier Soccer League (PSL) top four, Chicken Inn, Triangle, Dynamos and FC Platinum.
The quartet leading the premiership race has tricky assignments that will have major bearing on the log standings on Sunday.
Log leaders Chicken Inn face-off with Highlanders in a high profile Bulawayo derby at Barbourfields Stadium in a match expected to ascertain the balance of power.
Chicken Inn have managed to diffuse Highlanders’ soccer dominance in the country’s second largest City.
Promoted in 2011 into the premiership, the Gamecocks (Chicken Inn) registered their first league victory over Highlanders on June 19 2013 at Barbourfields Stadium.
Since then, Chicken Inn have not lost a league match to Highlanders.
The two sides meet for the 10th time in the league on Sunday.
Chicken Inn have won three times while they have shared spoils on five occasions.
Highlanders won 2-1 in the first edition of the Bulawayo derby pitting the two on May 25 2011.
With home pressure at Barbourfields, Highlanders will be battling on two fronts, their supporters and Chicken Inn.
The hard-to-please Bosso fans will be seeking nothing short of victory, while the Gamecocks seek to maintain their top position on the log.
Pressure will be on Bosso gaffer Bongani Mafu who has lost two matches in a row to FC Platinum and lowly-ranked Whawha FC.
With Michelle Katsvairo, Bhekimpilo Ncube and Edmore Chirambadare at Joey Antipas’ disposal, Bosso’s rear-guard need to keep up pace with the highly-rated Chicken Inn strikers.
The gangly Ncube will be facing his former paymasters on Sunday.
While the Bulawayo derby takes place, another tough battle will be raging between Triangle FC and FC Platinum at Gibbo fortress in the Lowveld.
So far this season, only How Mine and Dynamos have managed to shatter the Triangle FC good home record.
They are the only teams to collect maximum points in the Lowveld town.
The ‘Sugar Sugar Boys’ as Triangle FC are affectionately known last tasted victory against Tsholotsho Pirates in Bulawayo on August 16.
Their last home victory was on July 28 when they beat ZPC Kariba 1-0.
FC Platinum are a major threat to Triangle FC’s good home record and their current form might dent the confidence of Triangle FC players.
The platinum miners have gone 11 games without a loss.
On the other hand, Triangle FC have lost rhythm of late and will be hoping to bounce back to winning ways this weekend.
FC Platinum’s Brain Muzondiwa has not disappointed in his role of a gunslinger.
The departure of Obrey Chirwa, Wisdom Mutasa, Donald Ngoma and Walter Musona left Muzondiwa with a responsibility of banging in goals for FC Platinum.
Elsewhere, Dynamos, after two away fixtures, return home to meet How Mine at Rufaro Stadium.
It was a successful hunting expedition for the Glamour Boys who collected four points from two games.
They beat Kelvin Kaindu’s Triangle FC 2-0 at Gibbo before they settled for a 1-1 draw against Tsholotsho Pirates last Sunday at Barbourfields.
It was Stephen Alimenda’s costly own goal that denied the defending champions maximum points.
A victory against Tsholotsho Pirates would have reduced the gap between the log leaders Chicken Inn and Dynamos on the log to two points.
How Mine are a tricky side to Dynamos and the meetings between the two have been explosive.
The game is expected to provide fireworks.
How Mine coach Luke Masomere will be looking forward to upsetting his former paymasters while Dynamos gaffer Tonderayi Ndiraya will be fighting to continue with the fine run.
Last season’s golden boot award winner Kuda Musharu is expected to deliver while a number of stars are expected to carry How Mine through.
Menard Mupera, Timothy January, Gift Banda and Nyasha Mukumbi, among others, are likely to be Masomere’s options for the tie.
Goalkeeper Bernard Donovan might be rested for the Under-23 All-Africa Games in Brazzaville, Congo.
However, the young goalie has recently not been at his best and Munyaradzi Diya is likely to start.
The relegation dog-fight continues at the bottom of the log with Rusape-based Dongo Sawmills hosting Tsholotsho Pirates at Vengere on Sunday before Whawha FC travel to Nyamhunga Stadium for a date against power utility side ZPC Kariba tomorrow.
Buffaloes entertain Flame Lily at Sakubva while Chapungu welcome CAPS United at Ascot.
Harare City make the long trip to the Colliery Stadium against Hwange FC to close action in Week 21.