Nichrut, Whawha in make or break encounter

FORMER Premiership side Whawha clash with title aspirants Nichrut in a Zifa Central Soccer League (CSL) top of the table duel this afternoon at Peak Mine with both sides hard pressed for a win if they are to claim the championship.

Today’s match has a bearing on the destiny of the league championship.

Whawha and Nichrut are separated by a point with the former leading the table with 58 points, meaning a victory will put them in a commanding position with five rounds of matches to go.

Nichrut are third on the table and have hit a rich vein of form.

The Shurugwi side want to win this game and will hope that second placed Tongogara drop points against Black Eagles at Battlefields. Nichrut coach John Nyikadzino said his charges are focused on the game and believes today’s encounter has a significant bearing on their title hopes.

“It is going to be a tough game especially playing against Whawha who are favourites to gain promotion considering the quality and experience in their team.

“We are, however, ready for them and our intention is to ensure that we collect maximum points and if that happens we can start to dream,” said Nyikadzino who guided Chapungu into the Premiership in 2013.

Whawha coach, Luke Petros-Jukulile, who guided the prisons and correctional services side into the topflight in 2014, is buoyant ahead of today’s encounter.

“It is one of the tough matches we are playing tomorrow (today) just like our game against Tongogara last weekend.

“We are eager to collect maximum points so that we achieve our objective of playing Premiership football next season,” said Petros-Jukulile.

Meanwhile, Tongogara will be hoping to bounce back to winning ways following a 0-1 away loss to Whawha so that they keep their title hopes alive.

Tongogara coach Kelvin Maphosa knows that dropping points again at this stage will see his side losing the grip on the promotional race.