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Tricky fixtures for championship contenders

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By Sheldon Hakata

THE 2017 Castle Lager Premier Soccer League rolls towards the final lap with key fixtures that could shape the championship destiny in the offing.
Having taken a break last week, the top four teams that are involved in the championship race will be fresh and ready for action since they were booted in the first round of the Chibuku Super Cup tournament.
The race for honours has been a nail-biting affair with the top four sides separated by just five points.
Seven games are left and all the teams are fighting for 21 points on offer.
The remaining games are now like cup finals.
All the top four teams still have equal chances of claiming the league title.
The title-chasing teams all face tricky ties as the championship race goes for an intriguing finale.
Dynamos, Ngezi Platinum Stars, FC Platinum and Chicken Inn are all still in the race.
All the top four have the potential of being crowned 2017 kings.
The situation is the same at the bottom of the log.
With record title-holders Dynamos leading their rivals by three points after amassing 56 points from 27 games, the onus is on the Harare giants who bounced back to winning ways following a hard fought 2-1 win over Harare City a fortnight ago to maintain their form.
The Glamour Boys have a seemingly difficult trip to ZPC Kariba at Nyamhunga Stadium tomorrow in a tricky fixture that could go either way.
However, the Glamour Boys’ return to form has coincided with star midfielder Cleopas Kapupurika’s resurgence.
The dimunitive star has been spearheading the team’s attack in their title campaign.
Kapupurika was loaned out to Dynamos by Zvishavane-based outfit FC Platinum to get game time and he has been a revelation.
He has since become a key player in Lloyd Mutasa’s charges as they seek to claim the 2017 Castle Lager Premiership title.
Dynamos will be looking for a win to consolidate their lead at the top.
They welcome the pair of Carlos Rusere and vice-captain Obey Mwerahari, who have missed several games because of injury.
The ZPC Kariba coach, Sunday ‘Mhofu’ Chidzambwa, is hoping for a massive response from his troops after weeks of indifferent performances and boardroom squabbles.
After a promising start, ZPC Kariba have fizzled out of the league race.
All they are now fighting for is just to remain in a respectable position.
They have been enduring a horror spell that has not been helped by reports that Chidzambwa had resigned.
ZPC Kariba will go into the match refreshed from the break where some of their players managed to fully recover from knocks.
The closest challengers, Ngezi Platinum Stars and FC Platinum, are on 53 points each.
Ngezi Platinum Stars make the trip to Barbourfields for a date with Bulawayo City tomorrow.
Bulawayo City has vastly improved in recent weeks and has been frustrating the top teams.
They will however miss the services of influential defender Trevor Ndlovu through suspension.
He picked up yellow cards in matches against Highlanders, Chicken Inn and Hwange.
Ngezi Platinum Stars were disappointing in their last outing a fortnight ago.
A slip-up in Bulawayo this weekend would surely leave Madamburo with a tall order if they are to win their maiden league title this season.
Although Ngezi Platinum Stars have much depth, the remaining games require all the experience they have if they are to win the title ahead of Dynamos, FC Platinum and Chicken Inn.
Defence stalwart Partson Jaure could be out for the remainder of the season with a suspected fractured finger.
He has been one of Ngezi Platinum’s shining lights, managing to ensure their defence is stable while contributing important goals for the team.
FC Platinum travel to face Highlanders at the same venue on Sunday.
FC Platinum will be missing the services of Nqobizitha Masuku through suspension.
The Platinum miners have failed to win their last two matches following a goaless draw with Yadah FC and one-all draw against defending champions CAPS United at Mandava Stadium.
They face another tough assignment when they travel to Bulawayo to face rejuvenated Highlanders at Barbourfields.
Highlanders derailed Chicken Inn’s title quest after masticating the Gamecocks in their last league outing.
The clash between FC Platinum and Highlanders will provide a lot of excitement.
The two teams enjoy playing with the ball.
FC Platinum have often found it difficult playing teams that ‘park the bus’ and try to hit them on the break.
Mapeza’s charges have been creating a lot of chances but failing to convert.
Despite having the best defence so far, the lack of goals have seen them struggle to catch up with Dynamos.
Chicken Inn, who are in fourth place with 51 points, make the trip to Maglas Stadium against a Shabanie Mine side that has blown hot and cold this season.
But they have turned their home ground into a fortress.
Chicken Inn, one of the title contenders, have hit a bad patch.
They have lost their last three matches and exited the Chibuku Super Cup in the first round.
A poor run has seen them dropping to fourth place in the log standings.
They are now five points behind log leaders Dynamos.
Another loss at Maglas could be catastrophic for their title ambitions.
They travel to Maglas aware of Shabanie’s home record against big teams and title contenders.
The Chinda Boys are looking to build from last Sunday’s good performance against CAPS United in the Chibuku Super Cup quarter finals.
They put up a solid display against league champions CAPS United in the Chibuku Super Cup.
The game was abandoned in the second half due to crowd trouble. Shabanie was leading 1-0.
Shabanie wants to avenge the 1-0 against their opponents in the reverse fixture.
The asbestos miners have been in fine form in recent weeks.
In their bid to avoid relegation, they picked eight points in their last four matches.
They had two wins over title contenders Ngezi Platinum Stars and Bantu Rovers coupled with draws against Dynamos and Chapungu.
CAPS United might no longer have the championship destiny in their hands but they could make a late charge and snatch it.
At the bottom of the log, another interesting battle is shaping up in terms of relegation fight.
Shabanie Mine occupy the last relegation slot.
Only six points separate them from Highlanders who are on eighth place on the log table.
Highlanders are the only big team that has left Maglas Stadium unscathed this season.
Fixtures :
Today:
Shabanie v Chicken Inn (Maglas)
Saturday
Bulawayo City v Ngezi Platinum (Barbourfields)
Tsholotsho v Chapungu (Dulivhadzimu)
ZPC Kariba v Dynamos (Nyamhunga)
Yadah FC v Black Rhinos (National Sports Stadium)
Harare City v Bantu Rovers (Rufaro)
How Mine v Hwange FC (Luveve).
Sunday:
CAPS United v Triangle (National Sports Stadium)
Highlanders v FC Platinum (Barboufields).

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