The Sunday News
Ngqwele Dube, Sports Correspondent
DESPITE the uncertainty over the Premier Soccer League promotion/demotion matrix, the teams that would win the four regional Division One leagues are expectant of making it to the top tier.
Bulawayo Chief has already wrapped up the title in the Southern Region while Herentals emerged victorious in the Northern Region, leaving teams in the Eastern and Central Leagues fighting for promotion to the elite league.
In the Central Region, it’s a three-horse race between John Nyikadzino-coached, Nichrut, Tongogara FC and Zimbabwe Prison Correctional Services-run Whawha while in the Eastern Region the battle is between two former PSL sides, Buffaloes and Mutare City and Prisons side, Tennax.
Shurugwi-based Nichrut kept their stranglehold on pole position midweek when they made light work of ZRP Gwanda 3-0 away at Phelandaba Stadium while Tongogara beat Makusha FC at Makusha to put on the pressure.
The two sides are both on 70 points with 32 games having being played and they are separated by goal difference with Nichrut having a superior goal difference of 44 while Tongogara are on 34.
Former PSL side, Whahwa is third with 68 points and is praying for a slip up by either side, while continuing their winning streak.
On Wednesday they walked away with three points without kicking the ball as they had been fixtured with Gwanda United which was expelled from the league.
The region is set for a nail biting finishing with two games remaining before the season comes to an end.
This afternoon, Nichrut face Ivan Hoe Mine who are on fifth position on the log and are certain not to allow the log leaders to ride rough shod over them.
Former Chapungu coach, Nyikadzino intimated consistency has to be their hallmark if they are to maintain pole.
He was speaking before they beat ZRP and is likely to be singing the same song this afternoon at Peak Mine Grounds.
Tongogara take on ZRP Gwanda at Battle Fields in Kwekwe and the ZRP side could be in for another hiding as the army side will not show any mercy for the Gwanda-based team.
On the other hand, Whawha have the most difficult task at hand as they battle fourth-placed ZPC Munyati, knowing a lose or draw will leave them counting their loses and going back to the drawing board to plot another charge at the PSL slot.
In the Eastern Region Mutare City have a three point lead at the top with 59 points while Buffaloes are second (56 points) and third placed Tenax have amassed 54 points with four games to go.
The three teams are also in action this (Sunday) afternoon with City taking on Black Eagles while Buffaloes face Mucheke Pirates and Tenax are up against Surrey FC.
Zifa is likely to hold its annual general meeting this month where PSL promotion and demotion modalities are going to be discussed and finalised but the four regional teams are certain to make it to the PSL although it will remain to be seen it will keep 18 teams to go back to 16.
@rasmthembo
