As the referee Nelson Meki blew the final whistle after a well-fought match between Arenel and Hwange in Bulawayo on Saturday, both coaches displayed the same body language. They were disheartened, realising that time was running out to turn the season around for their teams. Arenel and Hwange are second and third from the bottom of the 18-team, log in which four teams will be relegated.
The two teams played a goalless draw on an afternoon where Arenel where the more wasteful in front of goal as Hwange defended frantically and created fewer chances. What probably drew the ire of Philani Ncube of Arenel and Rodwell Dhlakama is that the players did not exert the same energy levels they did in midweek fixtures. Hwange were 2-0 victors over CAPS United at the Colliery while Arenel were on a losing note against Highlanders in a match they showed great character and ambition.
One would not have thought they were relegation material and many were left convinced that relegation’s brutality see even very good teams and players go down. Arenel are playing some beautiful football and day in, day out on the pitch let down by poor finishing where Zibusiso Dambo, Dalubuhle Dlodlo, Lucky Nyathi and Toto Banda have been a let down. Speaking soon after the Hwange fixture, Ncube said the Highlanders game had sapped them of energy.
He maintains there is still hope for the team to survive. “I think the game against Highlanders, we did not recover. It’s still 50-50, we can win all the remai.
