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Eddie Chikamhi Sports Reporter
ZPC Kariba coach Saul Chaminuka reckons his side will be in a strong position to compete for the league championship if they win this afternoon’s match against Harare City at Rufaro.

The Premiership newboys are involved in a two-horse race for the title with defending champions Dynamos with three games remaining in the season.

A win today will set an exciting stage for next week’s clash with the Harare giants in a potential title decider.

ZPC Kariba are currently second on the log standings with 47 points, three behind Dynamos.

Chaminuka yesterday said they were looking to continue with their fairy-tale run after Wednesday’s impressive 3-1 win over Buffaloes.

“This is one game that will definitely guarantee us a top four finish, which is our immediate goal for the moment,” said Chaminuka.

“But let me also say if we win this game it will mean we are in strong contention for the championship.

“We play Dynamos next week and we have to put first things first. It’s very unfortunate we are coming up against wounded lions Harare City. So, I don’t think it will be an easy game at all. They have lost a number of matches now and are facing relegation, hence we can only expect a very tough game.

“But the pressure is on them because we have already achieved more than what we had aimed for this season.”

The Premiership newboys will be without one of their strikers Tawanda Nyamandwe who is among the six players suspended this week after accumulating three yellow cards.

But much is expected from Chaminuka’s trusted men, who include the former CAPS United trio of Pride Tafirenyika, Norest Mkwezaramba and Limited Chikafa.

Harare City will miss the services of their captain David Kutyauripo, who begins a two-match suspension after picking a red card against Dynamos during mid-week.

Defensive midfielder Raymond Uchena is also not available for selection as he was suspended for accumulating three yellow cards in previous matches.

William Manondo and Talent Chawapiwa were expected to take a late fitness test.

Harare City have lost their last three matches on the trot and their coach Masimba Dinyero thinks it’s time to stop the slide as they are not safe from relegation.

“I think we have paid the price for complacency and now it’s up to us to prove that we are a good side. We have been losing games of late and we have to up the tempo now.

“It’s a very important game for us because we need to get points to rise on the log standings. We are definitely not going to give them the leeway to do whatever they like.

“We will take the game to them.

“ZPC are a side that need to be taken seriously. I think the reason many teams failed against them was that they regarded them as newboys yet they are not new to the league. Their team is full of experienced players,” said Dinyero.

City still hope for a top eight finish as they are currently on 10th place with 34 points.

Their story is quite different from that of Harare giants CAPS United, who will be on a mission to get maximum points to boost their chances of a top four finish when they travel to Mutare for a date against Moses Chunga’s Buffaloes tomorrow.

The Green Machine have had one of their best seasons since 2005 when they last won the championship.

However, inconsistency and in-house turmoil torched by fights over money have cost them in the title race.

They are currently in third place with 46 points, four better than nearest rivals Hwange and in-form FC Platinum, who held them to a goalless draw on Wednesday.

Buffaloes lie a distant ninth place with 36 points in the bag.

Their coach Chunga yesterday said they were determined to stop the Harare giants.

“It’s unfortunate we are not able to finish in the top four, but we still want a respectable position at the end of the season,” said Chunga.

“My philosophy of football is to play to win. I want to be a winner in everything that I do. So, we are prepared for this game and we are going to give ourselves a chance,” said Chunga.

Jeffrey Takunda and Marshal Machazane are suspended, while there were fears Lloyd Katongomara might not recover from injury.

Fixtures:

Today: Harare City v ZPC Kariba (Rufaro), FC Platinum v Chicken Inn (Mandava)

Tomorrow: How Mine v Chapungu (Mandava), Buffaloes v Caps United (Sakubva), Triangle v Hwange (Gibbo), Dynamos v Bantu Rovers (Rufaro), Black Rhinos v Shabanie Mine (Rimuka)

Monday: Highlanders v Chiredzi (Hartsfield).