By McGeorge Mbare
THE title race, promotion battle and fight to avoid relegation in the Central Region Soccer League Division One are nearing their climax, with competition heating up at both ends of the table.
At the top of the table, Blanket Mine and Kwekwe United continue to battle for the championship.
Blanket Mine will travel to face Tongogara on Matchday 24 as they look to remain at the top of the table, while Kwekwe United will host Chapungu at Baghdad on Saturday, 12 September 2026.
Blanket Mine currently sit at the top of the table with 54 points, while Kwekwe United are second with 52 points after 23 matches.
Compared to the 2025 season, Blanket Mine are enjoying a remarkable turnaround and are currently playing some of their best football.
Last season, after 23 matches, Blanket Mine were sitting in 12th position with 27 points.
This season, they have collected 54 points from 23 matches, exactly double their tally at the same stage of the 2025 campaign.
However, in the 2025 season, Sheasham were the league leaders with 63 points after 23 matches, nine points more than the current 2026 leaders, Blanket Mine.
This indicates just how competitive the league has become, with the leading teams closely matched.
Chapungu, who are currently third in the 2026 season, are also enjoying an impressive campaign and have shown significant improvement and competitiveness.
In the 2025 season, Chapungu were sitting fifth with 36 points after 23 matches.
This season, they have amassed 50 points from the same number of matches.
Their remarkable improvement demonstrates their determination to challenge for the title and secure promotion to the Premier Soccer League.
Chapungu will prepare for a stem challenge against second placed Kwekwe United.
West Nicholson will host Beitbridge side Dulibadzimu United on Sunday, 13 September.
West Nicholson are also still part of the title conversation, sitting fourth on the table with 46 points.
In the 2025 season, West Nicholson were sitting 11th with 28 points after 23 matches.
Fast forward to 2026, and they have collected 46 points from 23 matches and are now firmly in contention for the championship.
Gwanda Pirates will host ZRP Gwanda at Phelandaba Stadium on Matchday 24 as they look to keep their title hopes alive.
Gwanda Pirates sit fifth with 45 points from 23 matches.
Their current tally is four points lower than the 49 points they had accumulated at the same stage of the 2025 season.
Elsewhere, Dulibadzimu United will look to cause an upset against West Nicholson away from home.
One of the most notable developments in 2026 has been Dulibadzimu United’s dramatic decline in form compared to last season.
After 23 matches in the 2025 season, Dulibadzimu United were sitting fourth with 37 points.
Fast-forward to 2026, and they have collected just 26 points from 23 matches, leaving them in 11th position.
At the other end of the table, Matobo are bottom of the 2026 standings with just eight points, representing a significant decline from their 2025 campaign.
Matobo FC will battle Superstrikers at Phelandaba Stadium in Gwanda on Friday, 10 September 2026, on Matchday 24.
Matobo are currently struggling and will be looking for redemption as they fight for survival with just eight points at the bottom of the table.
After 23 matches last season, Matobo were in 10th position with 28 points.
Their current struggles are even more striking when compared with Bishopstone, who finished at the bottom of the table in 2025.
Bishopstone had managed two wins after 23 matches, while Matobo have recorded just one victory at the same stage this season.
With the battle for promotion intensifying at the top and the fight for survival becoming increasingly desperate at the bottom, the remaining matches are expected to produce plenty of drama.
Speaking about Blanket Mine’s competitiveness across all competitions, coach Petros Jukulile said the club’s objective is to remain faithful to its vision of competing and winning at every level.
“It is the club’s vision to compete and win in every competition and at every level. We also try to balance the equation in every competition,” Jukulile said.