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Mukudzei Chingwere Midlands Bureau
SHABANIE Mine technical manager Taku Shariwa has warned cross-town rivals FC Platinum to brace for their third defeat of the season when the two clash in the Zvishavane derby at Mandava this afternoon. However, Shariwa believes their noisy neighbours will be crowned champions at the end of the season.

He becomes the third pundit to tip Norman Mapeza and his men after CAPS United coach Lloyd Chitembwe and blogger and television pundit Spencer Manguwa, himself a DeMbare fan. Last year, Shariwa correctly called that the Green Machine would be crowned champions.

“They have been playing very well, losing only two games this season is very commendable. But they must be prepared for their third defeat of the season. No one is unbeatable in this league and if you see our previous games against these big teams we have been doing very well and I am confident we can continue with that form. It will not be an easy game though we are all desperate for points, they want to win the league and we want to fight against relegation. But even if we beat FC Platinum I do not think that will stop them from winning the title, there are still many games to go and they can go on to recover from the loss and win it (the league). What I know is that the title is not going to either Harare or Bulawayo. The champion will be either FC Platinum or Ngezi Platinum. All our players are available for selection and they are ready to collect maximum points at Mandava. Again we will not be relegated, our fixture schedule is perfect as we are going to play some of the teams in the relegation zone and if we win those matches we will survive relegation,’’ he said.