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Tendai Chikuni

Sports Reporter
CHAPUNGU coach Tendai Chikuni is confident the Air Force of Zimbabwe side will not be relegated despite the challenges they have faced in a season plagued by injuries to most of their senior players.

For most of the season, the Gweru airmen have struggled to have all their men available but on Sunday they earned maximum points when they edged ailing ZPC Kariba 1-0 to ease their relegation worries. Chapungu were the biggest movers in the survival battles after moving three places up into 11th position on the log standings, which gives them some breathing places away from the drop zone.

But with seven games remaining in the season, most of the teams are fighting for every point as fellow relegation candidates Hwange and Shabanie Mine also registered vital wins. There were also points for Tsholotsho and newboys Yadah Stars who grabbed a late goal in the 2-2 draw away at Triangle. Apart from Bantu Rovers, who sit at the basement with paltry 13 points from 27 games, it is difficult to rule any team out at this juncture.

“The games are coming thick and fast and fatigue is creeping in. Most of our first team players are also injured and we need to manage this situation. But getting a result without some regular players shows that we have what it takes to survive relegation at the end of the season,” said Chikuni.

Shabanie Mine were 3-1 winners over Bantu Rovers but the asbestos miners remained in the red. Although they occupy fourth place from the bottom, Takesure Chiragwi’s men have been building their case with two wins and two draws in the last four matches.

“It’s good we have picked form at this crucial stage of the season. We have been picking up points and hopefully we will continue on that path and in the end survive relegation. I am happy my players are now beginning to understand one another. Mind you this was virtually a new team that was assembled at the beginning of the season and most of the guys lacked the experience at this level. But I could see they had the talent and the potential, so we have been encouraging them,” said Chiragwi.

Yadah Stars coach Thomas Ruzive was also relieved with the point on the road in a recovery work that has seen the Harare side winning two and drawing two in their last four outings. The Miracle Boys are currently out of the drop zone with 32 points. Five teams are crammed between 30 and 33 points.

“As we have said since the start of the season, this is our first year in the Premiership and the main objective is to survive relegation. So we are confident we will fight till the end. The competition looks tough but if we maintain our current form I am sure we will finish in a good position,” said Ruzive.