By Tapiwa Chawagarira
HARARE — Castle Lager Premier Soccer League leaders Scottland were held to a 1-1 draw by Dynamos at Rufaro Stadium today, while Highlanders and Chicken Inn also shared the spoils in a one-all draw at Barbourfields Stadium in two rescheduled fixtures.
The results left Scottland at the top of the table, but their failure to beat Dynamos means the championship race remains open with eight matches left for the leading sides.
At Rufaro, Scottland took the lead in the 61st minute when Panashe Mutimbanyoka found the breakthrough.
Dynamos, however, responded six minutes later through Wisdom Mutasa, who levelled matters in the 67th minute as the two giants settled for a point apiece.
The draw took Scottland to 54 points from 26 matches, leaving them three points clear of second-placed Hardrock.
Dynamos moved to 46 points, remaining third, but the result again highlighted their biggest problem this season — too many draws.
DeMbare have now drawn 13 of their 26 matches, despite suffering only two defeats. Their inability to turn more of those stalemates into victories has left them eight points behind the leaders.
The two meetings between Dynamos and Scottland this season have both ended in draws, with the first-round encounter finishing 0-0 before today’s 1-1 result.
Scottland therefore remain unbeaten against Dynamos, but neither side has managed to claim maximum points from the other.
At Barbourfields, Highlanders took the lead through Never Rauzhi in the 22nd minute before Chicken Inn restored parity through Tyrese HikuPembe, who converted a penalty in first-half stoppage time.
The 1-1 draw left Highlanders seventh on 38 points, four points behind sixth-placed CAPS United.
Chicken Inn moved to 34 points, level with Simba Bhora, but remained 10th because of their inferior goal difference.
For Highlanders, the result continued a frustrating campaign characterised by a high number of draws. Bosso have now shared the spoils in 14 of their 26 matches, leaving them eight points behind third-placed Dynamos.
The result also meant Highlanders remained unbeaten against Chicken Inn this season after winning the first-round meeting 3-1.
At the top, Scottland’s three-point advantage over Hardrock remains intact, while Dynamos are eight points off the pace.
Herentals are fourth on 45 points, followed by Ngezi Platinum Stars on 44, while CAPS United have 42 points.
With the majority of the leading teams having eight matches remaining, Scottland remain in the driving seat, but the latest dropped points have given the chasing pack renewed hope.
For Dynamos, the challenge is to convert their impressive ability to avoid defeat into victories. Their two defeats from 26 matches demonstrate consistency, but the 13 draws have proved costly in the race for the championship.
The remaining fixtures could therefore prove decisive, with Scottland under pressure to protect their slender advantage while Hardrock, Dynamos and the other contenders wait for any further slip-ups at the top.
