Fallen giants Highlanders, Dynamos fight out 1-1 draw in thriller
As league debutants Scottland on cusp of sealing league title
By Auther Chimbgwa
Highlanders and Dynamos played out a 1-1 draw in a thoroughly watchable encounter whose outcome did little to ease the arch rivals’ relegation worries in a Castle Lager Premier Soccer League Match Day 31 clash played in front of a near capacity stadium at Barbourfields stadium on Sunday.
Highlanders defender Brian Mlotsha’s 17th minute tap-in off an Andrew Mbemba free kick was cancelled out by a Jairos Kasondo’s strike 20 minutes later.
Kasondo’s effort took off a deflection from a Highlanders player on its way into the nets.
Both fallen giants remain threatened by relegation, although Bosso, with 36 points, now need a single victory out of their remaining three games to be assured of safety.
Dynamos, unbeaten since coach Kelvin Kaindu took charge, still realistically need two wins to remain in the premiership.
They have 34 points and still sit precariously fourth from the bottom of the league table because of their inferior goal difference.
Dembare share the same number of points with three other teams.
In another match played at Rufaro Stadium, giants Caps United posted a hard fought 1-0 victory over Manica Diamonds.
The Green Machine now need to pick up a single point from their remaining three encounters to survive relegation.
They now have 38 points from 31 outings, and are ninth on the log standings.
Triangle’s hopes of fighting the demons of relegations took a dent after suffering a devastating 1-0 defeat at the hands of Chicken Inn at Gibbo stadium.
Meanwhile, in Saturday’s matches, log leaders Scottland are on the brink of making history in their debut season after grinding out a 1-0 victory over bitter rivals MWOS at a packed Rufaro stadium.
They now need four points in their remaining three matches to land the championship.
The only team which achieved such a feat since independence in 1980 was Black Rhinos in their debut season in the era of the Super League in 1984.
Reigning champions Simba Bhora surrendered a 1-0 first half lead to lose 2-1 to Ngezi Platinum Stars at Baobab stadium.
They virtually handed the title to Scottland as they are now six points behind the log leaders.
Scottland now have 62 points, with Simba Bhora on 56 and third placed MWOS sitting on 55 points.
Green Fuel decimated already relegated Kwekwe United 5-0 at the Green Fuel Arena in Chisumbanje while Yadah played out a one-all draw with ZPC Kariba at the Heart stadium in Waterfalls, Harare.
TelOne beat FC Platinum 1-0 at Mandava stadium in Zvishavane to complete Saturday’s goal rush.
