… Rhinos,Triangle, Sheasham go down

YADAH needed to be gritty to grind out a result to survive the nervy last days of this year’s Castle Lager Premier Soccer League season.

They emerged victorious against Dynamos, whom they beat 2-1 in a tense match at the National Sports Stadium yesterday.

King Nadolo and Jerry Chipangura scored either side of the break, with substitute Arthur Musiyiwa getting the consolation goal for the Glamour Boys.

The three points all but secured another dance in the top-flight for the Miracle Boys on a dramatic penultimate day of the premiership.

The relegation dogfight went to the wire, with Yadah, ZPC Kariba, Sheasham, Triangle and Black Rhinos going into yesterday’s round of fixtures jostling to avoid joining Cranborne Bullets, who have since been relegated.

However, three of these five teams had to go down, and, unfortunately, the axe fell on Black Rhinos, Sheasham and Triangle.

With Yadah doing their bit against a team that did not have star player Tanaka Shandirwa and Issa Sadiki — owing to a clause that prohibits the loanees from playing against their parent club — this put Black Rhinos and the other three under pressure.

Black Rhinos needed to win their match against Simba Bhora, and Darren Mutimuzunze carried the day for them.

But their destiny was never in their hands, as they needed Yadah or ZPC Kariba to falter.

ZPC Kariba — fully aware that they would not be safe without a win — put Cranborne Bullets to the sword by beating them 3-0 at Mandava Stadium to ensure their own survival.

While Rhinos did everything they could, it was a different script for Sheasham, who lost 2-1 at Bata Stadium, and Triangle, who drew 1-1 against Green Fuel at the Green Fuel Arena.

“As Yadah, we are elated with this win. This is our biggest win of the season, sentimentally,” said Nadolo.

“We knew exactly what needed to be done. Everything would be in our own control with just a win. The aim was to get an early goal. We did that and unsettled our opponents.

“Before they knew it, right after the resumption, we struck again. It feels fantastic to survive right on the last day of the season.

“We deserved to win this match and it’s party time now. I would like to thank everyone on the team, including Prophet Walter Magaya.”

ZPC Kariba, just like Yadah, knew they had their destiny in their own hands and needed to win their game, which they did.

Black Rhinos started putting in the work and getting results, but it was too little, too late.

Despite all the investments they have made, including upgrading Bata Stadium to PSL standards, Sheasham still failed to stay beyond their maiden top-flight season.

Triangle got the chop after about 10 years of dancing with the big boys.

Arenel, Chegutu Pirates, Tenax and TelOne are taking the quartet’s places in the league after they got promoted from the four regional Division One leagues.

PSL Results and Fixtures

Bulawayo Chiefs 2-2 Manica Diamonds Cranborne Bullets 0-3 ZPC Kariba Green Fuel 2-1 Triangle

Simba Bhora 0-1 Black Rhinos Sheasham 1-2 FC Platinum Yadah 2-1 Dynamos

Today

CAPS (NSS)

“I will be very honest here, our target for 2023 was not even to win the championship.

“That was not his (Chiragwi) target. “The priority, for me and the board, was to create stability within the team.

“That’s why we did not go out hunting for players on the transfer market, but rather put our faith in the boys we already had in the system.

“Halfway through the season, they said, you know what, we can do this.

“The players set that target (title) for themselves,” said Maswiswi.