Time to separate men from boys
THE Dynamos camp is filled with both hope and enthusiasm following Wednesday’s victory over Ngezi Platinum Stars, which swung the 2023 Castle Lager Premier Soccer League race wide open again.
FC Platinum’s shock 1-2 home defeat to Black Rhinos, as well as Highlanders’ 1-1 draw against Green Fuel — also on the same day — benefitted DeMbare, who are now eight points behind log leaders Ngezi.
Dynamos, who are now on 46 points, have a game in hand against Manica Diamonds.
They have seven games remaining before their season comes to a close.
Ngezi, however, have six games left. DeMbare have a difficult assignment against ZPC Kariba at Nyamhunga Stadium this afternoon, while Ngezi host relegation-threatened Yadah at Baobab.
Bosso, who are seven points behind Ngezi, play their bogey side Bulawayo Chiefs in a derby at Barbourfields Stadium, where they have failed to win since September 17.
The Dynamos management has made a commitment to give coach Genesis “Kaka” Mangombe and his troops “all the necessary support” in what could be a riveting end to the season.
“We are back on track; I think if we win our next two games, we will be good.
“As the executive, we are fully behind the coaches and their players,’’ said Dynamos vice-chairperson Vincent Chawonza.
But Dynamos have never beaten ZPC Kariba at Nyamhunga since 2014, when “Kauya Katuruturu” were promoted.
After ZPC Kariba, DeMbare will play Rhinos at home, FC Platinum at Mandava, Chicken Inn (home), Green Fuel (home), Yadah (away) and Manica Diamonds (away).
The clash between DeMbare and FC Platinum in Week 31 could be key in deciding the title race.
The maximum points DeMbare can reach if they win their remaining seven games is 67.
However, for them to win the championship, Ngezi will have to lose two of their six remaining matches.
Other title contenders — FC Platinum, Highlanders and Manica Diamonds — will also have to similarly fail to reach 67 points.
Odds-on favourite
But the destiny of the championship is no longer in DeMbare’s hands.
They have to rely on teams that will play Ngezi to do the job for them.
DeMbare have been bad finishers in the league race in the last few seasons.
After playing Yadah at Baobab this afternoon, Ngezi will face Hwange at the Colliery, Sheasham (home), Simba Bhora (away), Cranborne Bullets (home) and Highlanders (away).
Interestingly, four of Ngezi’s last six opponents — Yadah, Sheasham, Simba Bhora and Cranborne Bullets — are fighting for survival.
However, for Ngezi, the championship is theirs to lose.
With 54 points in the bag, the miners just need to win five of their remaining six matches to reach an unassailable 69 points and clinch a maiden championship.
Highlanders can only reach 65 points if they win all their remaining six matches, while Dynamos can only reach a maximum of 67 points.
FC Platinum can get to 64 if they win all their remaining matches.
Manica Diamonds, who still have to play Dynamos, can also reach a potential 67 points.
But only one team between Manica Diamonds and Dynamos has a realistic chance of reaching the 67-point mark.
Ngezi can also win the championship if they win their next four matches and Dynamos drop a point.
Takesure Chiragwi’s men have another advantage; they will play four of their remaining six matches at home, since Simba Bhora also use Baobab Stadium for their home fixtures.
Ngezi have lost only twice in 14 matches at Baobab, where they have had 10 wins and two draws.
Interestingly, one of those losses was to Simba Bhora, whom they meet in Week 32.
But Ngezi might have already sealed the deal by that time, especially if their title rivals slip up within the next four weeks.
Chiragwi has an impressive 71 percent win probability at Baobab.
At this rate, they have a mathematical chance of winning three of their four matches in Mhondoro-Ngezi, and those nine points could take their tally to 63.
If the race goes to the wire, Ngezi would then need five points on the road, against Hwange and Highlanders.
The race can only get to the wire if both
Dynamos and Highlanders win their next four assignments and Ngezi falter.
But statistics from recent weeks favour Ngezi, who have seven wins and three defeats in their last 10 games, with two of the losses coming at the hands of FC Platinum and Dynamos.
On current form, resurgent CAPS United have been the in-form side with three consecutive wins.
Photo finish
Former CAPS United defender Charles Manjera predicts a photo finish.
“It will now depend on how the coaches and players cope with pressure. This is now the time for big-game players,” said Manjera, who won the league title with Makepekepe in 2005.
“A lot of things will happen in the next weeks — tempers will flare in some games and emotions will be high. So, teams that are competing for the title have to be mentally strong.
“Administrators will also have to play their role, as poor administrative decisions might also be detrimental.
“Issues to do with motivation have to be handled wisely because there is no room for mistakes.”
By the time Ngezi travel to Bulawayo to face Highlanders, they might have already clinched the title.
After Bulawayo Chiefs, Highlanders will play CAPS United (home), Triangle (away), Herentals (home), Manica Diamonds (away) and Ngezi (home).
Baltemar Brito and his side, Highlanders, need to win all their remaining matches and hope Ngezi lose three of their last six.
In this scenario, Bosso will also pray that Dynamos, who have a game in hand, do not win all their last seven
matches, or that FC Platinum, who played Green Fuel at Mandava yesterday, do not reach 65 points.
But this is a Bosso outfit that has not won in the last five rounds, only managing three draws and two losses.
In fact, Bosso have managed only two wins in 11 matches since the beginning of the second half of the season.
While their solid defence was the major talking point earlier on in the season, they have suddenly become too porous for a championship-chasing side.
They have now shipped in 13 goals in 11 matches.
In the first half of the season, they let in just four goals in 17 matches.
Just like Ngezi, Highlanders will play four of their last six matches at home, because Bulawayo Chiefs, whom they play today, also use Barbourfields as their home.
Should Bosso win all their matches at home, they will get to 59 points, which might still not be enough to land the title because even rank outsiders Chicken Inn can get to 61 points, if they win their remaining six fixtures.
Bosso have lost three times in their last five matches at what should be their fortress.
Champions FC Platinum are still in the race despite denting their chances with a 1-2 loss to Rhinos.
Norman Mapeza’s men have famously been strong finishers in the league race in the last four seasons.
They are still to play Chicken Inn (away), Dynamos (home), Yadah (away), Hwange (home) and Sheasham (away).
Manica Diamonds must face Hwange (home), Sheasham (away), Simba Bhora (home), Cranborne Bullets (home), Bulawayo Chiefs (away) and DeMbare (home).
Fixtures:
Manica Diamonds v Hwange (Gibbo), ZPC Kariba v Dynamos (Nyamhunga), Bulawayo Chiefs v Highlanders (Barbourfields), CAPS United v Cranborne Bullets (National Sports Stadium)