kenny Mubaiwa
Sikhumbuzo Moyo Senior Sports Reporter
DYNAMOS have boldly declared that they are on course for an unprecedented fifth league title on the trot and set themselves a target of winning all their remaining six matches with the hope that Chicken Inn stumble along the way. The Glamour Boys cut Chicken Inn’s lead at the top of the table from seven points to four after edging the league leaders 1-0 at Barbourfields Stadium on Sunday, and are now tied in third position with FC Platinum on 45 points. However, the Zvishavane-based side, which was held 0-0 by Tsholotsho at Luveve Stadium on Saturday, has a better goal difference. “We are on a cruise and we don’t intend to stop and neither will we be merciful to those that come on our path,” said an elated Dynamos chairman Kenny Mubaiwa.
“We know Chicken Inn will crumble along the way, but that won’t happen to us, so yes, a fifth league title is now imminent.” Mubaiwa is also on the verge of carving his own piece of history by becoming the first local club chairman to lift five consecutive league titles. It is the way that Dynamos defended against Chicken Inn that makes them fearsome as the league enters the home straight.
Chicken Inn though can turn all these dreams into nightmares by simply winning their own matches and not worry about how Dynamos and FC Platinum are performing. The Gamecocks’ next match is a derby clash against How Mine, while FC Platinum take on Whawha and Dynamos host Harare City.
Referees will also come under the spotlight in these last games if what supporters saw on Sunday is anything to go by. Hwange-based referee Hardly Ndazi was simply pathetic, failing to implement basic rules of officiating, justifying why Zimbabwean referees are overlooked for important continental assignments.
Instead, Caf prefers to use better referees from elsewhere, even from Somalia where there hasn’t been a functional league for the past 25 years. While the top three clubs are calculating the number of points they need to clinch the league title, ailing giants Highlanders are licking their wounds after another routine loss at the hands of Caps United.
That 3-1 loss leaves Bosso needing to win at least four of their remaining six games to survive relegation. One game they have to win at all cost is against Tsholotsho. Iziqholo zeZhwane can end the season on 40 points if they win all their games, including the encounter against Highlanders, while the likes of Whawha, Flame Lily and Dongo Sawmill will amass 38, 37 and 36 points if they win all their remaining games.
CHICKEN INN’S REMAINING FIXTURES
Week 25: Chicken Inn v How Mine
Week 26: FC Platinum v Chicken Inn
Week 27: Chicken Inn v Whawha
Week 28: Chicken Inn v Tsholotsho
Week 29: Harare City v Chicken Inn
Week 30: Chicken Inn v Flame Lily
FC PLATINUM’S REMAINING FIXTURES
Week 25: Whawha v FC Platinum
Week 26: FC Platinum v Chicken Inn
Week 27: Harare City v FC Platinum
Week 28: FC Platinum v Flame Lily
Week 29: Caps United v FC Platinum
Week 30: FC Platinum v Dongo
DYNAMOS’ REMAINING FIXTURES
Week 25: Dynamos v Harare City
Week 26: Flame Lily v Dynamos
Week 27: Dynamos v Caps United
Week 28: Dongo Sawmill v Dynamos
Week 29: Dynamos v Chapungu
Week 30: Buffaloes v Dynamos