THE Castle Lager Premier Soccer League race between Simba Bhora and FC Platinum reaches a crucial phase this weekend as the two sides have potentially explosive matches against Caps United and Dynamos, respectively.
Six points separate Simba Bhora and FC Platinum, with the former at the top with 60 points.
Both teams are left with four matches to wrap up the season.
Simba Bhora will host sixth-placed Makepekepe at Wadzanayi Stadium in Shamva on Saturday, while FC Platinum hit the road to Harare to face Dynamos at Rufaro Stadium the following day.
There is no room for the Tonderai Ndiraya-coached Simba Bhora to slip up as Norman Mapeza’s FC Platinum are closing in.
Simba Bhora faltered in the last league game, which they lost to Herentals 1-0 at Rufaro Stadium 10 days ago after a 14-match unbeaten run.
They had last lost to FC Platinum at Mandava Stadium in June.
After the Caps United tie, Simba Bhora travel to Bulawayo to face relegation-threatened Arenel Movers before they host FC Platinum in a top of the table clash at Wadzanayi.
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They wrap up the season with an away match to ZPC Kariba.
Ndiraya is now solely focused on winning his maiden title for Simba Bhora after his side was bundled out of the Chibuku Super Cup in the semi-finals by Ngezi Platinum on Saturday.
For FC Platinum, they pummelled Yadah 3-0 in their last game in the league at Mandava.
Mapeza’s side, back in the title chase, went four matches unbeaten after losing to Manica Diamonds.
They will play their last three matches against Bulawayo Chiefs (home), Simba Bhora (away) and end the season with a home clash with TelOne.
Third-placed Manica Diamonds, who lost to Dynamos in the Chibuku Super Cup semi-finals on Sunday, travel to the coalmining town of Hwange to take on Hwange at the Colliery on Sunday as Ngezi Platinum, with 46 points on the fourth spot, host Bikita Minerals at Baobab on Saturday.
Highlanders, fifth with 44 points, host Green Fuel at Barbourfields Stadium on Sunday.
Fixtures
Saturday: Ngezi Platinum Stars vs Bikita Minerals (Baobab), TelOne vs Herentals (Ascot), Simba Bhora vs Caps United (Wadzanayi), Bulawayo Chiefs vs Arenel (Luveve), Yadah vs ZPC Kariba (Heart)
Sunday: Chegutu Pirates vs Chicken Inn (Baobab), Dynamos vs FC Platinum (Rufaro), Hwange vs Manica Diamonds (Colliery), Highlanders vs Green Fuel (Barbourfields)
