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Bothwell Mahlengwe
EVERYTHING, as of now, points to a ZPC Kariba success story in the domestic Premiership — it’s theirs to lose and, even though they have a tough tie against CAPS United, it’s hard to see them blowing it away. Some of the CAPS United family, especially a clique of their fans, have been clamouring for their team to “hand over” the title to ZPC Kariba.

That’s very unprofessional, if not downright stupid, and their coach, Taurai Mangwiro, to his credit, had vowed to be professional, despite his well-documented friendship with ZPC’s head coach Saul Chaminuka.

Mangwiro won’t be around on Sunday and his assistant Mike “Mickey Dread” Madzivanyika will be in charge of the Green Machine.
Fate has helped Mangwiro find relief, against the background of his love-hate relationship with some CAPS fans, and this was a man under intense pressure in the past two weeks.

Some CAPS fans have always been suspicious of Mangwiro, because of his past relationship with Dynamos, but he had been very professional and if the Green Machine had given him a conducive environment to operate in, they would have been champions this year.

Madzivanyika has no past relationship with Dynamos, as he played for Black Aces and Arcadia United.
However, CAPS United’s perennial financial challenges could be a huge factor, as their players lack motivation to fight for the cause of their shirt and some could be tempted easily.

It’s not given, too, that a CAPS victory, which looks remote, could hand Dynamos the championship, as the Glamour Boys have a very tough tie against How Mine.

But even if they win this title, Dynamos know that it will not be as sweet as it would have tasted if they had sealed it against ZPC.
It’s also about survival this weekend and Buffaloes’ Moses Chunga, Harare City’s Masimba Dinyero, Triangle’s Biggie Zuze and Black Rhinos’ Jostein Mathuthu are in the fight.
Chunga seemed to be safe a month ago, but a string of indifferent results have thrown Buffaloes into a pit.

And for Chunga’s stature and fame, it would be a big dent on his CV and ego if Buffaloes go down.
If Triangle and Harare City, who are well-funded, go down, it would be a step into the darkness for our PSL, which has been rocked by financially-troubled clubs this year.

For Zuze and Dinyero, whether they survive or not, it’s highly likely they will lose their jobs. Already, Triangle have Kelvin Kaindu as technical advisor and he is likely to take over next season.

Mathuthu has flattered to deceive since taking over from Arthur Tutani and posting positive results at the beginning of his term, especially against Dynamos, seems to have deceived him into complacency.

His chances of saving Rhinos from demotion look very remote.
And there is huge talk of Nesbert Saruchera coming back to do what he knows best; that is to bring back Rhinos into the Premiership next season.
Saruchera and his Flame Lily have one hand on the World Navi Northern Region Division One championship.

Yadah Gunners seemed to have it in the bag when they led by seven points, but handed the initiative to Flame Lily who now need only a point to seal it.
Saruchera has acquired the label “Only Black Rhinos” coach after more than a decade of a love-hate relationship with the soldiers.
Now he is about to prove his pedigree at a different club.

Arthur Tutani, who saved Black Rhinos from relegation in the Premiership last season, took a big gamble and joined Blue Swallows and now he could be relegated from Division One.

Tsholotsho got promoted into the Premier League, but the people of Tsholotsho are unlikely to be watching Premiership football any time soon.
For starters, the coach seemed to insinuate that the team is a community club and that, on its own, is a non-starter for top-flight football.

Chiredzi FC have proved that and we certainly don’t want a repeat.
The challenge for them now is to find a sponsor.

Secondly, I doubt if they have facilities that can host Premiership football; the people of Kariba just experienced that this year.
Then, rumours are flourishing that Tsholotsho are going to sell their franchise to Bantu Rovers, keeping “Mayor” in the Premiership for another season.
If that is true, then so much for gaining promotion for the Tsholotsho people. Whichever way, they are going to lose and the likelihood of them watching top-flight football in their backyard looks remote.

The Mutare community are guaranteed Premiership football, even if Buffaloes get demoted. It would be better if Buffaloes survive because the city will have two teams in the top-flight league come next season.

Buffalo Junior are in a tight race with Mutare City Rovers, which can go either way, with two games to go.
However, of interest would be what will happen if Buffalo Junior get promotion and Buffaloes survive the chop. Both teams are linked to Mutare-based 3 Brigade and both have the majority of their players on the ZNA payroll.

Oh, for the first time in a long time, we heard some good news from the error-prone ZIFA.
Two match officials were banned for a combined 16 years for allegedly attempting to fix World Navi Northern Region Division One matches.
My hope is that this will send a clear and loud message to would-be perpetrators as we reach the final stages of the fiercely-contested leagues.

Let the teams that deserve it triumph, not those that can afford it, and that’s why I’m saluting Mangwiro and everyone at CAPS who cares for Fair Play for refusing to be lured by foolish fans, driven by rivalry and jealousy, with no respect for the integrity of the game.
Bothwell Mahlengwe is a banker and former Premiership footballer and can be contacted, for feedback, on the email: [email protected]