Who conquers Ascot is the boss

ALL the three title chasing clubs – FC Platinum, Caps United and Highlanders – have not won at Ascot since 2014 when Chapungu returned to the Castle Lager Premier Soccer League. And with the trio set to visit John Nyikadzino’s men, as season heads for the wire, the airmen are in no mood to dish out favours. “Chapungu will not do anyone favours because we are playing for ourselves. We really don’t care who wins the title,” said Nyikadzino

FC Platinum, who play Chapungu in Week 28, have never scored at Ascot since 2014 as both their visits have produced 0-0 draws.

Caps United have lost on the two occasions they travelled to Gweru and history will be against them when they make the trip to Gweru on the last day of the season.

In 2014, Makepekepe were beaten 0-3 and followed that up with a 1-2 defeat last season. Highlanders have also found Chapungu difficult to break, drawing on both their visits since 2014.

This year, only ZPC Kariba and Dynamos have managed wins at Ascot, a statistic that brings a smile to Nyikadzino’s face.

“We have made Ascot our fortress and that is what it should be,” he said.

As the title race heats up, Mapeza says he is leaving everything in God’s hands.

After masterminding another famous victory over Dynamos last Saturday, the gaffer admitted to craving for the league title. “Everyone wants the good life but we leave everything in God’s hands because He knows our destiny,” Mapeza said after Pure Platinum Play’s 2-0 victory.

FC Platinum, the most inconsistent team among the top three in the last five outings, will face Harare City (away), Ngezi Platinum (home), Chapungu (away), Highlanders (home) and Tsholotsho (away).

That looks tricky for an FC Platinum side that has two wins and three draws from their last five games.

The victory over DeMbare was FC Platinum’s second in five matches, the rest were draws against Chicken Inn, ZPC Kariba and Border Strikers.

In 2015, FC Platinum crumbled under pressure in the dying stages of the race and collected seven points out of a possible 15 in the last five games.

They ended up finishing third behind eventual winners Chicken Inn and Dyna- mos. Week 28 and 29 might complicate FC Platinum’s bid to become the first club from outside Harare and Bulawayo to win the league title since Independence.

In Week 28, they play Chapungu at Ascot before hosting Bosso whom they have failed to beat in a league match at Mandava since 2011.

The last time Pure Platinum Play beat Bosso in Zvishavane was on June 8, 2011 when they emerged 2-0 victors.

In 2012, FC Platinum lost 2-3; in 2013, the match ended in a goalless draw; in 2014, the miners lost 0-1 and last season, the high profile clash ended in a 2-2 draw.

Caps United have 13 points out of 15 in the last five rounds and last Sunday’s late win over How Mine left Chitembwe more optimistic.

Makepekepe have a tough 580 km trip to Border Strikers in their next fixture before they clash with Dynamos in the Harare Derby at the National Sports Stadium.

Can DeMbare play the party poopers role?Harare City (away) and Ngezi Platinum (home) will be up on the tasks’ list before the Green Machine completes its 2016 campaign with a visit to Chapungu.

With five straight wins, Highlanders have picked form at the right time.

Just like last season, Highlanders travel to Chapungu in Week 26 hoping to better the 1-1 draw they pulled at Ascot.

Highlanders will play three games at Barbourfields against Bulawayo City (Week 27), Tsholotsho (Week 28) and Hwange (Week 30).The trip to Mandava for a date with FC Platinum in Week 29 could decide the destiny of the 2016 Castle Lager Premier Soccer League.“We have to try and win all our matches and hope that FC Platinum and Caps United drop points,” said Bosso coach Erol Akbay.

Bosso have on most occasions conceded first before changing tactics in search of a comeback.They play a dangerous game.

“Sometimes the opponent wakes up before us and scores before we do. We then resort to changing tactics and end up winning.

“It is risky to continue this way, on another day it might prove costly so we are working on making sure we score first,” Akbay conceded.