League preview with Sheldon Hakata

THE Castle Lager Premier Soccer League (PSL) enters Week 26 with some potentially nail-biting derbies on offer.
With nine rounds to go before the season ends, there is desperation by all teams to collect maximum points as both the championship race and the battle for survival hots up.
Every club now has a tough mission since it is time to show their pedigree against their opponents and finish the season strong.
They need to collect three valuable points as they pursue league glory on both ends of the table.
At this stage, coaches too are under pressure to motivate their charges to approach every game with a positive mindset.
The coaches want to see their players making use of every chance created, while demanding stout defending at the rearguard.
They should improve on chance conversion by scoring more goals and defending resolutely at the back to have a chance of winning the remaining matches.
For strikers, this is the time to be ruthless in front of goal and kill off the opposition as there is also the battle for the league’s top goal scorer.
Former champions Dynamos, who climbed to the top of the log table for the first time this season following their recent victory over Chapungu host unpredictable Harare City at Rufaro Stadium on Sunday.
DeMbare has of late been struggling in terms of form and cohesion, failing to win three matches in a poor run that has blown the championship race wide open.
Even in the match against Chapungu which had been abandoned at Ascot in Gweru after the goal posts crumbled in 56th minutes, the Harare giants failed to find the net.
On Sunday it was the same old story as they slumped to shock 2-1 home defeat against minnows Bulawayo FC in the Chibuku Super Cup first round.
The Glamour Boys (Dynamos) lead the pack on superior goal difference with 52 points from 25 games after winning 16 matches.
However, the tussle for the 2017 PSL title is between Dynamos, Ngezi Platinum Stars, FC Platinum and Chicken Inn.
Chicken Inn and FC Platinum dropped crucial points during the week.
Reigning PSL champions CAPS United continued with their fine run when they plucked battling Chicken Inn on Wednesday while FC Platinum were held to frustrating nil all draw by stubborn Yadah FC at Rufaro Stadium.
Makepekepe (CAPS United) can make a late rush into the title race if they continue with their good form.
Knowing exactly that a win would propel them to the summit of the PSL table, Chicken Inn missed the chance at the National Sports Stadium on Wednesday evening in a match that saw ‘rare unity’ between CAPS United and Dynamos supporters.
With that crucial win on Wednesday, CAPS United have 41 points, just 11 points behind leaders Dynamos.
The Gamecocks (Chicken Inn) dropped to third place on the log with 51 points.
In the match of the week, high-flying Makepekepe take on inconsistent FC Platinum at Mandava Stadium on Sunday.
All eyes will be on Makepekepe as they seek to further upset the apple cart against Norman Mapeza’s stuttering outfit.
Ngezi Platinum have the easiest task this weekend as they host relegation candidates minnows and struggling Tsholotsho at Baobab Stadium.
Chicken Inn, whose championship’s destiny looks to have slipped from their grip, will be hoping that results elsewhere go their way when they host the black and white army, Highlanders.
In other matches, Triangle play host to Yadah FC at Gibbo Stadium on Sunday.
It has been an exciting marathon thus far with so-called small teams like Shabanie FC having done exceptionally well at home against big teams, posting some impressive draws and wins.
The Chinda Boys’ proud home record makes them a beast when playing in their own confines.
But for all their formidable home record, Shabanie FC are sitting precariously in the relegation zone and are desperate for points.
The experience of defenders William Mapfumo and Zvenyika Makonese will be crucial for the Chinda Boys as they begin the journey for survival.
In former Dynamos forward Farai Mupasiri, they have a player who on his day can torment defenders with his sudden burst of speed and eye for goal.
Former Warriors midfielder, Peter ‘Rio’ Moyo earned How Mine a hard-fought victory over a 10-man Triangle in a PSL encounter at Luveve on Wednesday.
Striking in either half, the gold miners’ points tally rose to 40 from 26 matches, while the visitors got their face-saver from captain Lameck Nhamo.
Triangle coach Taurai Mangwiro bemoaned the away jinx, his team’s poor away form after the loss.
In their remaining matches, Triangle have four away games.
They expect to conjure up something so they come away with points from home matches.