NGEZI Platinum Stars recorded their fourth victory on the trot on Wednesday against Black Rhinos, but their chances of winning the Castle Lager Premier League face probably the sternest test with a trip to Mandava to face rejuvenated champions FC Platinum tomorrow.
Madamburo’s midweek win over Black Rhinos lifted them to a six-point advantage at the top of the standings above Highlanders.
They became the first team to pass the 50-point mark following their narrow 1-0 win over Black Rhinos with nine rounds of matches before the end of the season.
They moved to 51 points from 25 matches.
Takesure Chiragwi and his men have been ruthless, having won their last four matches on the trot, dropping points in just one of their last eight matches.
But their bid for a first Castle Lager Premier Soccer League title is again thrust into the spotlight when they face fellow platinum miners who have also won their last four league matches.
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They underlined their resurgence with an impressive 2-1 win over title-chasing Manica Diamonds at Gibbo Stadium on Wednesday.
Norman Mapeza will be hoping that his team can cut the gap between them and the leaders to five points.
Chiragwi is no stranger to the Zvishavane conditions having worked at Shabanie Mine in the topflight and he knows that his team needs to be fully focused ahead of the important match.
"We need to re-focus; we have another important and very crucial game against FC Platinum on Saturday. Consistency in terms of winning is important than anything else. Whether you are playing badly or not, you have to make sure and believe that at the end of the day you can win,” he said.
He is pleased with the gap they opened up at the top, but is not getting carried away knowing fully well that it can still end in tears.
"It’s very important to look at the points but look, you are leading with six points and there is 27 points to play for, six points is just two games. So we just need to focus and make sure we keep on collecting maximum points and see how it is at the end of the season. We don't want to make predictions about the championship because we have never thought about it. But if we keep on winning, we will see how the season ends.”
They face a rejuvenated FC Platinum side that recently won four matches in a row against Caps United, Triangle, Herentals College FC and Manica Diamonds.
Mapeza is approaching this crunch tie with caution, though with high hopes that his men will live up to their billing.
“We are playing a difficult match. It’s not easy playing three games in seven days.
"It's taxing considering the weather conditions. We face a quality side, they are the log leaders and they have been doing very well this season. They have been consistent and they are a quality side, I have to be honest with you. But I think we will be ready for the game tomorrow," Mapeza said.
Going into this blockbuster, FC Platinum are third on the log standings with 43 points on their tally, eight behind Ngezi Platinum.