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Tadious Manyepo

Sports Reporter

SIMBA Bhora could secure promotion into the Premier Soccer League if they manage to collect maximum points at home to Commando Bullets in a ZIFA Northern Region Division One Soccer League match this afternoon.

The Shamva team are four points ahead of second-placed Herentals Under-20 with two games before the Northern Region Division One Soccer League season comes to an end.

And they will take the lead to seven points with the Students only playing tomorrow against Cam Again in Kadoma.

That means the lead will be unassailable and the region’s executive have confirmed they will bring the trophy to Wadzanai Stadium which will be handed to the Arthur Tutani-coached team should they be able to beat the army side.

The league’s top scorer Tinashe Balakasi, who has been leading the Shamva team from the front, said this fixture could be one of the most difficult to navigate.

“The feeling in our camp is extraordinary. We are very much excited by the prospect of getting promoted into the Premier Soccer League,” said Balakasi.

“But, look, Commando Bullets are a tough team. We lost in the first round at Commando and we are very much wary of them.

“We will go into this match knowing that only a win will secure our promotion. We need to be ruthless. This is what we have been waiting and hoping for. The match against Commando Bullets is very tough but we are going all the way.

“We are playing in front of our fans and we can’t afford to slip. We have been patient, we have been resolute, we have been focused and we can’t take our eyes off the ball right now.”

If Simba Bhora fail to win today, they will have to wait for their last match away to Karoi United should Herentals Under-20 beat Come Again at Rimuka tomorrow.

While Balakasi is winning, barring miracles of gigantic proportions, the region’s Golden Boot award, he will face-off against Herentals Under-20 goalkeeper Nevermind Antonio for the Soccer Star of the Year accolade.  As widely expected both players have made it into the region’s best 11 with the Soccer Star of the Year and runners-up banquet scheduled for later this year.

Antonio has kept 22 clean sheets for the Students and has been one of the most consistent players in the whole league throughout the season.

Balakasi has scored 27 goals and the battle between the two is expected to be very close.

Veterans Hardlife Zvirekwi of Simba Bhora and Herentals’ Joseph Chitavira are also expected to have their own battle in the race for the runners-up.

Fixtures

Today: Golden Eagles v Karoi United (Ellis Robins)

Golden Valley v Chinhoyi Stars (Rimuka)

Simba Bhora v Commando Bullets (Wadzanai)

PAM v Cam and Motor  (Kuwadzana)

Chegutu Pirates v Harare City Cubs (Pfupajena)

Tomorrow: Come Again v Herentals Under-20 (Rimuka)