The ManicaPost
Fungayi Munyoro Sports Correspondent
MUTARE City Rovers will host equally struggling Zvishavane based side Shabanie Mine FC in a must win encounter. The match will kick off at 3pm at Vengere stadium.
Rovers who are at the bottom of the 18 team log, is seemingly losing the battle by each and every passing week.
The Eastern Region, which has got only one team in the top flight at the moment, could be left with none, come the end of the season.
It will take a miracle for Rovers to survive relegation this time and that they are going down is no longer up for debate. Their form does not suggest they are a team that could win all their remaining matches.
Last week they shared the spoil after a 1-1 drew with Harare City FC away in Harare. The log doesn’t look too good for the Eastern Region.
Rovers have to collect a complete set of three points. Shabanie Mine affectionately known as Chinda Boys, on the other hand is also not out of danger as they sit just two points better than Mutare City Rovers.
The bottom three teams are facing an uphill struggle to survive, only three points separate Bulawayo City on position 16 and 18 placed Mutare City Rovers. It is an enthrallingly entertaining battle at the bottom as much as it is at the top.
Going into this weekend’s fixtures, Rovers are languishing at the bottom of the 18-team log with 12 points from 21 games. They have won two, drawn six and lost 13 games.
After the Shabanie Mine game, Mutare City Rovers will travel all the way to the City Of Kings for a date with Bulawayo Chiefs. They will host second placed Ngezi Platinum at home on match day 24. The big game will be against log leaders FC Platinum away before taking on Highlanders at home.
Shabanie Mine coach Alexio Sigion however fired a warning shot at Gusha Bhora. Sigion joined the Chinda Boys two months ago from Northern Region Division One side Kariba Waves. He replaced Takesure Chiragwi who left the club mid June. Sigion previously worked as a developmental coach for Sprouting Academy and helped nurture the skills of Sweden-based midfielder Archford Gutu, Talent Chawapiwa, Devon Chafa and Eric Chipeta.
“We cannot be a team to donate three points to Mutare City Rovers. My players are ready for this game.
“We are working very hard. It is possible to win an away encounter. We know that our current position on the log is not good but we still have a lot of games to play. It is too early to throw in the towel. We just have to motivate our players,” said Sigion.
Match Day 22
Chicken Inn FC vs Ngezi Platinum Stars FC
Nichrut FC vs Highlanders FC
Bulawayo Chiefs FC vs Harare City FC
Dynamos FC vs ZPC Kariba FC
Triangle FC vs Yadah FC
Herentals FC vs Caps United FC
Black Rhinos FC vs Bulawayo City FC
FC Platinum vs Chapungu FC
