OnSport Reporter
HIGHLANDERS finally found their rhythm under interim coach Try Ncube, picking up maximum points and rising one step up the ladder after beating Green Fuel in a Castle Lager Premier Soccer League match at Barbourfields Stadium on Sunday.
The victory comes as a timely boost ahead of a big one next Sunday against flamboyant debutantes Scottland FC, who held them to a 1-1 draw at Emagumeni in the reverse fixture in March.
It was Ncube’s first win in charge after a defeat to MWOS at BF and a draw to troubled Kwekwe United in Gweru.
The Bulawayo giants moved just one rung up the ladder with 27 points from 20 games and chasing a 13-point deficit against log leaders Simba Bhora if they nurse any hopes of a league title that has eluded them for almost two decades.
They face Scottland, who are fresh from celebrating a win over Ngezi Platinum Stars at Baobab on Saturday after also going through a dry spell and just displaced the latter from the fourth spot albeit the two sides are on 31 points apiece.
Simba Bhora returned to the top after beating Herentals 3-2 at Rufaro on Saturday while MWOS dropped to the second spot after suffering a defeat to struggling Yadah at the Heart on the same day.
But the two sides are tied on 40 points as the race for the honours takes centre stage with TelOne on position three with 33 points after a 1-0 win in Gweru on Saturday over crumbling Harare giants Dynamos, who are facing the dreaded chop from the top league.
Dynamos’ woes could persist as they have a tough one against pacesetters Simba Bhora at Wadzanayi Stadium in Shamva on Saturday.
MWOS are back home at Ngoni Stadium for a tricky one against FC Platinum on Saturday while TelOne hit the road to face another giant Caps United on the same day.
FC Platinum are on 28 points, with an abandoned match against Dynamos awaiting adjudication and also have a game in hand to Manica Diamonds, postponed following the death of the captain Brian Banda.
Herentals on the seventh spot, also with 28 points after the loss to Simba Bhora, are away to Manica Diamonds on Saturday.
At the bottom of the log is Kwekwe United with just nine points with one win, six draws and 13 defeats in 20 outings and their return to Division One is imminent if they continue.
Dynamos are not safe either with a paltry 15 points from 19 games, likely to lose the called-off game to FC Platinum and the faded giants have just two wins, eight defeats and nine draws.
Triangle are on 19 points while Yadah, Green Fuel and Chicken Inn are on 20 points each.
In the middle of the ladder, ZPC Kariba on position nine, are at par with Highlanders on 27 points, Bikita Mineral 25, Caps United 24 and Manica Diamonds 21.
