PSL’s squeaky bum time

LEGENDARY coach Sir Alex Ferguson used the phrase “squeaky bum time” to describe the business end of the season at a time his Manchester United side were involved in a fierce battle for the English Premier League title with Arsenal in 2003.

Manchester United eventually clinched the 2002-2003 title with a five-point advantage over their rivals.

It was a pulsating end to an exciting season. The 2023 Castle Lager Premier Soccer League has also now entered its own squeaky bum time, with a number of intriguing fixtures lined up in the last 10 games of the season.

Former Warriors goalkeeper Simba Chinani, who is now at Premiership debutants Simba Bhora, believes it is now “a dog-eatdog affair”.

Simba Bhora might be 10th on the log standings with 29 points, but they are still fighting relegation.

Triangle, who are five points behind the Shamva-based outfit, currently occupy the last relegation spot.

Faded Harare giants CAPS United, who are winless in their last nine matches, are not safe either, as they are just two points above the relegation zone.

“It’s now a dog-eat-dog affair, but we are going to fight till the end,” Chinani told The Sunday Mail Sport.

The former Dynamos and CAPS United man has featured 23 times for Simba Bhora and managed 11 clean sheets.

Simba Bhora have flirted with relegation since Match Day One despite their financial muscle, experienced players and respected coach Tonderai Ndiraya.

“Our first round was not that pleasing. What we had planned did not materialise.

“But we have picked up form since the beginning of the second half,” said Chinani.

He will be a key figure for Simba Bhora’s bid to retain their Premiership status.

While they registered only three wins in the first half of the season, they have managed the same number of wins since the beginning of the second half of the season.

Most teams, both at the top end and bottom end, have shifted gears ahead of what could be a riveting end to the season.

Black Rhinos, who finally moved from the basement after beating Manica Diamonds last weekend, have picked up eight points since Match Day 18, yet they had previously only managed to amass 12 points from 17 matches.

Chauya Chipembere have now swapped places with fellow soldiers Cranborne Bullets, while Yadah are third from bottom with 24 points.

Newboys Sheasham, ZPC Kariba, CAPS United, Green Fuel and Simba Bhora will all have to fight for survival.

Even Hwange, who are on 31 points, are also not safe.

Going by the last four seasons’ statistics, a team needs an average 39 points to survive relegation.

An exciting race for the championship involving log leaders Ngezi Platinum Stars, Highlanders, Manica Diamonds, FC Platinum and Dynamos is also brewing at the top end of the table.

Ngezi, who are on 48 points, opened a fourpoint lead over Highlanders after walloping ZPC Kariba 3-0 at Nyamhunga Stadium last weekend.

Last season, Ngezi had accumulated 33 points at this stage.

The Mhondoro miners have done well under the tutelage of Takesure Chiragwi and are firm favourites to clinch their first league title.

Manica Diamonds are six points behind Ngezi, while defending champions FC Platinum trail by eight points.

DeMbare can move to within six points of Ngezi if they are awarded three points for their abandoned match against Bosso.

FC Platinum have been strong finishers in the league race for the past four seasons, but it looks like the champions might have left it too late to mount another assault at a record fifth consecutive championship.

Norman Mapeza’s side had accumulated 51 points at this stage last season but find themselves 11 points behind that tally this term.

They have managed to pick up at least 20 points in the last 10 games of the last four seasons.

This time around, they also face some tricky games against Ngezi at home, Chicken Inn (away) and Dynamos (home) in their last 10 fixtures.

Ngezi will host Chicken Inn, travel to Hwange, Dynamos and Highlanders in some of their outstanding matches.

Bosso, who are chasing a first league title since 2006, still have to play CAPS United (home) and Manica Diamonds (away).

The Bulawayo giants will also face relegation-threatened sides Sheasham, Simba

Bhora, Cranborne Bullets and Green Fuel in consecutive weeks.

Dynamos vice chairperson Vincent Chawonza firmly believes his team has a strong chance of ending a nine-year championship drought.

DeMbare, who last won the title in 2014 under Kalisto Pasuwa, bounced back into the race following a good run under Genesis Mangombe.

“It is now possible to win the league title. Our boys have improved,” said Chawonza.

Dynamos play Triangle (A), Herentals (H), Manica Diamonds (A), Ngezi (H), ZPC Kariba (A), Black Rhinos (H), FC Platinum (A), Chicken Inn (H), Green Fuel (H) and Yadah (A) in their final 10 games.

But the Glamour Boys have been poor finishers in recent seasons.

They managed only 13 points in the last 10 games last season.

In 2019, they picked up just nine.