Rahman Gumbo and FC Platinum pray for miracle

AFTER blowing their big chance to win their maiden Premiership crown at home at the weekend, newboys FC Platinum are hoping for a miracle in the capital on Sunday.

The league's richest club could have been crowned champions had they beaten Dynamos at home on Sunday.

Even a draw would have been enough for them to effectively win the championship, given that they would only need a draw against Shooting Stars in their last game.

But FC Platinum collapsed under pressure and lost 0-1 to Dynamos, their first league defeat at Mandava, to hand the initiative to the Glamour Boys.

They seem to have thrown in the towel, even though a draw against the Wild Boys, coupled with a Dynamos defeat against Kiglon, will see them being crowned champions.

Alternatively, they could win by a huge score, and hope that Dynamos don't match that, for them to be crowned champions.

The teams are now tied on 55 points but DeMbare have a better goal difference of +25 compared to FC Platinum's +21.

FC Platinum secretary Phillimon Muvengwa acknowledged the daunting task they now face and preferred to leave everything in the hands of fate.

Besides Ntokozo Tshuma, who is out on suspension, Muvengwa said they were expecting a full squad for the game.

Dynamos assistant coach Tonderai Ndiraya said Dembare has to seize the opportunity to end their three-year drought with a victory over relegated Kiglon to lift the Castle Lager Premiership title on the last day of the season at Rufaro on Sunday.

Both teams have a chance to win the championship but DeMbare can fancy their chances after climbing top of the table ahead of the last round matches of the season with a morale-boosting away victory over rivals FC Platinum.

Ndiraya said they will not underrate their Division One-bound opponents in the last match despite Kiglon's status as one of the demoted sides.

Before their capitulation this season, Kiglon have been a thorn in the flesh for the Glamour Boys.

Statistics actually show that Kiglon have a better head to head record against Dembare after winning three of their seven meetings since their promotion in 2008.

Dynamos have won twice, with the other two meetings ending in stalemate. Kiglon played a big part when it mattered most in denying the Glamour Boys the title in the last two seasons.

Last year Dynamos had done well to revive their campaign but they lost 1-0 to Kiglon in Week 27 and went on to lose the championship to Motor Action on goal difference.

Kiglon had also dented their chances in the 2009 season when they beat DeMbare 3-2 in Week 28 courtesy of a brace from Osbourne Mukuradare and one from Gift Zvavanhu.

But Kiglon, who have been facing crippling financial challenges in the last two seasons, no longer have that competitive fighting spirit after losing several players, leaving them a severely weakened side.

They come into this match against a backdrop of a morale-sapping 3-0 defeat at the hands of Zimbabwe Saints in their last match, while Dembare have been on top of their game.

Kiglon who lost nearly the whole squad of their youthful side during the mid-season transfer window, are now looking a different outfit with players like Bernard Benesi, Last Chibwiro, Michael Mageja and Moore Moyo.