Manica Diamonds on brink of relegation as Rufaro defeat leaves them anchoring the log with 5 games to go
All Herbert Maruwa was hoping for on Saturday was a win when Manica Diamonds travelled over 300 kilometres from Mutare to the capital to face FC Hunters in the Castle Lager Premier Soccer League Match-Day 29 clash at Rufaro Stadium.
But as soon as the final whistle echoed around the over the iconic venue, Herbert “Jompano” Maruwa and the Gem Boys had been defeated by a gritty Nesbert “Yabo” Saruchera and FC Hunters.
The result leaves the men from the East staring doom.
A solitary goal was enough to condemn Manica Diamonds to their 18th defeat of a miserable campaign, a 1-0 loss that could prove to be the final nail in their Premier League coffin.
A win would have taken the Mutare side to 22 points and reignited their faint hopes of beating the drop.
Instead, they remain rooted to the bottom of the 18-team table with 19 points from 29 games, with a goal difference of -30, the worst in the league.
It was the perfect opportunity spurned. FC Hunters went into the match just above the relegation zone on 28 points.
A victory for the Gem Boys would have dragged Hunters right back into the mire and stalled their own survival push. Instead, Hunters did themselves a huge favour.
That win has lifted them to 31 points in 13th place, six points clear of danger going into the last five games, while Manica Diamonds are left to do the unthinkable.
The relegation noose is now tightening around five teams, from position 14 to 18, but for four of them, it is a fight for survival.
With the season ending on Match-Day 34, positions 15 to 18 will face the dreaded chop if fortunes do not change.
The latest log paints a grim picture:
Bulawayo Chiefs sit 12th on 31 points from 28 games and play Triangle United today – a win would take them to 34 points and all but secure their safety. FC Hunters are 13th on 31 points from 29 games after yesterday’s lifeline.
Then comes the red zone. ZPC Kariba are 14th on 29 points after falling 1-0 to FC Platinum yesterday. Agama FC are 15th on 25 points after being thumped 3-0 by log leaders Scotland FC.
TelOne FC are 16th on 21 points, but they showed fight yesterday earning a valuable and precious point in a 2-2 draw away at Baobab Stadium against Ngezi Platinum Stars to keep Joel Lupahla’s men’s hopes alive.
Triangle United are 17th on 19 points from 28 games – level on points with Manica but with a superior goal difference of -16 compared to Manica’s -30.
If Triangle win today against Bulawayo Chiefs, they will leap to 22 points and push Manica deeper into the abyss.
Chiefs themselves will see it as an opportunity to move further away from the drop zone.
And at the very bottom, Manica Diamonds FC – 18th, 19 points, 4 wins, 7 draws, 18 losses. The Gem Boys who once dazzled the top-flight are now anchoring the standings.
Yesterday’s other results did them some tiny favours to some extent as their fellow travellers on this treacherous route to the unfashionable and unglamorous division one football also stumbled.
ZPC Kariba and Agama both lost, while only TelOne managed to salvage a point.
In defiance, the official Manica Diamonds Facebook page posted a message that was meant to rally the troops and the faithful:
“5 more games to go, we still believe in us we are the Gem Boys,”
The expected defiance, however, was met with brutal honesty and resignation from a dejected fanbase who have watched their team unravel all season. The comment section turned into a sombre farewell to the PSL.
One fan wrote simply: “Welcome to D1.” Another said: “Zvaendwa apo.”
“Next year tomuonera muchisamba ground,” wrote Roy, referring to Chisamba Grounds, the home of a majority of Mutare based teams including Destiny Stars, Buffaloes and Manica Diamonds U19 the developmental side of Manica Diamonds. “Chisamba ground next year,” echoed another.
The most painful words came from those who felt the belief has come too late. “You will believe more next year vs Renco Mine,” wrote Tinashe Mavera. “Makanonoka,” wrote Simba J Chibwana, a sentiment echoed by Felistas Zungura with “Kkkk makanonoka.”
Others were more blunt: “chimbohwinaiwo kani anhu woye,” “Mweya mutsvene upi manyanya,” and “We believe kudini kwachol….nyara kani.”
For Manica Diamonds, five games remain. Five cup finals. But with the fans already booking a return ticket to the Eastern Region, with Renco Mine, Tenax, and Bikita Minerals waiting, the Gem Boys must now find something they have lacked all season – a miracle.
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