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Ray Bande in MUTARE

CURRENT Castle Lager Premiership football joint top goal-scorer Nyasha Tito Chintuli has predicted the 2021/2022 season title race will fizzle out into a two-horse race between Chicken Inn and Manica Diamonds.

The free-scoring forward, who has found the target nine times in 10 rounds of league matches so far this season, believes that the two teams – Chicken Inn and Manica Diamonds – have shown the pedigree to last the distance in the race for the coveted silverware.

The La Sakubva junior ensemble product, who is on a one season loan from crosstown rivals Tenax, is confident that the Gem Boys will not let up in their attempt to smash and grab the biggest prize on the domestic football scene.

Chintuli admitted that it is too early to talk about the league championship but insisted that the signs are clear that the Gem Boys will last the distance.

“Yes, we are championship challengers and I think we are a good strong team. Everyone in the squad now understands the expectations of not only the technical staff but our fans.

“We want to make them happy and build a brand for football in Manicaland. As far as the championship is concerned, it is a bit early to talk about that but the signs are clear for everyone to see. Personally, from the assessment I have done on all the teams performances so far, I think this will end up in a two-horse race between us (Manica Diamonds) and Chicken Inn.

On their match against Bulawayo Chiefs, which is scheduled for Sakubva on Sunday, Chintuli said: “It will be a tough match again because it is so obvious every team we are playing against now are coming fully prepared knowing we are a strong side.

As it stands, we are the team to beat but whatever it takes we are going to win.”

The 27-year-old former Triangle and Ngezi Platinum striker, who enrolled at Chancellor Junior, Sakubva Primary, Sakubva High and Herentals College for his education here in Mutare, is actually targeting 25 goals and beyond for this 2021/2022 season

“When we started the season, I initially though it would be good if I manage to score 15 goals this season but as the season progressed, I made changes, given the rate at which I have been scoring. I am actually now targeting 25 goals and beyond,” said Chintuli.

Whether the talented goal-poacher will achieve that feat and whether his team will last the distance in this scintillating race for the title, only time will tell!

Crosstown rivals Tenax CS FC will be entertaining Harare City at the National Sports Stadium in Harare today.

The Mutare correctional services side comes into today’s match with their tails high after beating ZPC Kariba away at Nyamhunga before dismantling CAPS United 2-1 at Sakubva in last weekend’s round of league fixtures.

Meanwhile, Sakubva will play host to a potentially exciting encounter between Black Rhinos and ZPC Kariba tomorrow.

The match starts at 3pm.

Rhinos secretary, Edward Mtukwa, urged fans in the eastern border city to throng Sakubva and render their adopted home team support. “We are now finding our feet each time we play at Sakubva. Saturday’s match should be used as ample evidence that Rhinos is now comfortable with the venue.”

In the same breadth, we urge fans in the eastern border city to throng Sakubva and render their adopted home team support,” said Mtukwa.

Rhinos will be looking to bounce back from the 1-2 defeat they suffered at the hands of giants Dynamos in their last match.

The army side had appeared to walk away at least with a point from that game but they gave away a disappointing 85th minute goal. Rhinos have failed to perform with consistency this season.