By McGeorge Mbare
The battle for survival from relegation in the Premier Soccer League is going down to the wire this weekend as three teams—Bikita Minerals, Hwange, and Bulawayo Chiefs—look to preserve their premiership status.
So intriguing is the battle that two of the three teams face each other. Bikita Minerals will be at home against Hwange FC, and any result other than a win for either side will automatically condemn both teams to Division One football. The two teams are tied on 35 points, with Bikita having a minus 11 goal difference and Hwange minus 16.
Joining the two teams in the last-day relegation dogfight is Bulawayo Chiefs, who will travel to Manica Diamonds with their fate firmly in their hands. A win for Bulawayo Chiefs will secure it, as it will give them an unassailable 39 points, as they currently sit on 36 points.
Hwange and Bikita Minerals are in a more precarious position, as even a win from either side might not be good enough to survive if Bulawayo Chiefs collects maximum points. They are banking on Bulawayo Chiefs losing to Manica Diamonds. All in all, besides securing maximum points to survive the battle of relegation, these teams need to score more goals in order to be safe in goal difference battles.
Elsewhere, Arenal Movers and Chegutu Pirates’ fate in the PSL has already gone south as they have been relegated; it remains to be seen which two teams will join them on the dreaded chop.
PSL Match 34 Fixtures:
Arenal Movers vs. Chegutu Pirates – 15:00 PM
Bikita Minerals vs. Hwange – 15:00 PM
Green Fuel vs. Dynamos – 15:00 PM
Herentals vs. Chicken Inn – 15:00 PM
Manica Diamonds vs. Bulawayo Chiefs – 15:00 PM
FC Platinum vs. TelOne – 15:00 PM
Kariba vs. Simba Bhora – 15:00 PM