MacClive Phiri
Ricky Zililo, Senior Sports Reporter
TSHOLOTSHO FC’s right back MacClive Phiri has described this afternoon’s clash against Ngezi Platinum as a must-win if they are to survive relegation.
Phiri, a consistent performer for the Zhwane Boys believes that his side will escape relegation and what is needed is for them to fight hard.
The former Quelaton defender is not new to a survival fight, as he was part of the Tsholotsho side that escaped the chop in last season’s campaign.
Tsholotsho are second from the bottom with 19 points from 25 games, and need to collect maximum points at Ngezi Platinum, hoping that How Mine will do them favour at Luveve Stadium this afternoon and beat Mutare City Rovers who are a place above relegation. Mutare City are on 21 points.
“I think what is important is for us to keep fighting and make sure that we take this fight to the wire. Our survival chances are good and what we must do is try and pick maximum points in all our remaining games starting with the Ngezi Platinum game.
“We know what to expect at Ngezi Platinum following our last week encounter in the Chibuku Super Cup quarter-final. Another thing that motivates the guys to even push harder is that everyone knows that hard work pays and if we’re to survive relegation you will be surprised to see some of the guys leaving for greener pastures,” said Phiri.
Ngezi Platinum knocked Tsholotsho out of the Chibuku Super Cup, beating the Matabeleland North rural outfit 4-1 at Baobab Stadium.
After the Ngezi Platinum trip, Tsholotsho will play host to Chapungu, then face fired-up Highlanders which will be followed by the Bulawayo City clash and wrap up the season against FC Platinum.
“The matches we’re left with look difficult, but if we work hard and believe in ourselves we will spring shockers along the way,” said Phiri.
Mutare City are left with three away games to How Mine, Dynamos and Ngezi Platinum while their home matches will be against ZPC Kariba, Border Strikers and Harare City.
Meanwhile, defending champions Chicken Inn takes on Bulawayo City in a local derby at Barbourfields tomorrow, harbouring hopes of sneaking into the top four. The Gamecocks are on position six with 35 points and can move two places up the ladder in the event that ZPC Kariba and Dynamos who are tied on 38 points lose their respective encounters against Triangle United and Hwange.
Bulawayo City will be out to complete a double over the champions who they beat 1-0 in the first leg.
Fixtures
Today: Ngezi Platinum v Tsholotsho FC (Baobab), ZPC Kariba v Triangle United (Nyamhunga), How Mine v Mutare City Rovers (Luveve), Harare City v FC Platinum (Rufaro), Chapungu v Highlanders (Ascot)
Tomorrow: Bulawayo City v Chicken Inn (Barbourfields), Dynamos v Hwange (Rufaro), Border Strikers v Caps United (Dulivhadzimo)
PSL TABLE
P W D L F A GD P
FC Platinum 25 14 9 2 28 12 +16 51
Caps United 25 14 8 3 33 17 +16 50
Highlanders 25 14 5 6 33 18 +18 47
ZPC Kariba 25 9 11 5 20 16 +4 38
Dynamos 25 10 8 7 20 16 +3 38
Chicken Inn 25 9 8 8 24 17 +7 35
Triangle United 25 9 7 9 24 28 -4 34
Ngezi Platinum 25 9 6 10 22 24 -2 33
Harare City 24 9 5 10 25 21 +4 32
Bulawayo City 25 8 8 9 20 21 -1 32
Chapungu United 25 7 10 8 21 21 +0 31
How Mine 25 7 9 8 24 23 +1 30
Hwange 25 7 8 10 19 27 -8 29
*Mutare City 25 6 6 13 20 38 -18 24
Tsholotsho 24 5 4 15 17 28 -11 19
Border Strikers 25 4 2 19 9 33 -24 14
*Three points deducted for use of a suspended player
— @ZililoR