By Jeremiah Gora
Defending Castle Lager Premier Soccer League champions Scottland FC have an opportunity to finish the first half of the season at the top of the table when they host bottom-placed Triangle United at Rufaro Stadium this afternoon.
Scottland, currently third on the log with 31 points from 16 matches, can move to the summit with a victory in their Week 17 fixture.
The champions trail leaders Hardrock FC and second-placed CAPS United by a single point, although both sides have already completed their Week 17 assignments.
The stakes have been further raised after Scottland owner and businessman Hon. Pedzisai Scott Sakupwanya reportedly promised the players hefty allowances should they finish the first half of the campaign at the top of the standings.
A win would take Scottland to 34 points, enough to leapfrog both Hardrock and CAPS United and head into the mid-season break as leaders.
However, the title race remains complicated by an outstanding match involving Hardrock FC.
The Premier Soccer League is yet to determine the outcome of the abandoned fixture between Hardrock and Dynamos, meaning the current leaders still have a game in hand that could significantly affect the standings.
Hardrock sit top of the table with 32 points from 16 matches, level on points with CAPS United but ahead on goal difference.
Scottland are third on 31 points, while Herentals College and Ngezi Platinum Stars complete the top five with 29 points each.
The race at the summit tightened further following a series of results yesterday.
Dynamos and FC Hunters shared the spoils in a 2-2 draw, leaving DeMbare sixth on 26 points from 16 matches.
The result extended Dynamos’ unbeaten run but dealt another blow to FC Hunters, who remain in the relegation zone on 15 points.
At Wadzanayi Stadium, Simba Bhora boosted their top-half ambitions with a narrow 1-0 victory over Ngezi Platinum Stars.
The win lifted Simba Bhora to 24 points, while Ngezi missed an opportunity to move closer to the league leaders.
CAPS United failed to take advantage of Hardrock’s inactivity after being held to a goalless draw by Chicken Inn at Luveve Stadium. Makepekepe remain second on 32 points after 17 matches.
MWOS FC continued their impressive campaign with a convincing 3-1 victory over Manica Diamonds, moving to 25 points and strengthening their push for a top-six finish.
The defeat left Manica Diamonds stuck in the relegation zone on 12 points.
At Nyamhunga Stadium, ZPC Kariba and Herentals College played out a 0-0 draw, a result that denied Herentals the chance to climb into the top three.
With the first half of the season drawing to a close, all eyes will be on Rufaro Stadium where Scottland have the chance to cap a remarkable opening 17 weeks by reclaiming pole position in the championship race.
