GONE: Ernest Sibanda has stood down as Highlanders chairman • Chitembwe new CAPS United coach • PSL play-offs enter critical stage • Madinda Ndlovu unveiled as Highlanders coach • Lancashire lead play-offs mini-league • Chikwaikwai named Soccer Star of the Year • CAPS United survive, Monomotapa claim their prize • Monmomotapa clinch premiership title • Dynamos slash Monomotapa's lead with emphatic win • Monomotapa, Dynamos set up tantalising season finale • Monomotapa get in mood for big party • 2008 Premier Soccer League Fixtures

Posted to the web: 08/01/2009 19:40:45
EAGLES raced three points clear at the top of the Premier Soccer League play-offs mini-league on Wednesday after a stormy 2-1 victory over nearest rivals Lancashire Steel who had a goal controversially disallowed for offside.

With the win, the Marondera club moved to 10 points and will earn promotion if they win one of their last two games and Lancashire, who are defending their premiership status, lose.

Eagles, co-sponsored by Zimbabwe defender Dickson Choto, seized the initiative with the opening goal straight from a freekick by winger, Clive Kawinga. The first half freekick, awarded for a foul on Clive Kawinga 20m out, beat a static Tendai Hove in goals for the visitors.

Playing in front of a sizeable crowd of their home fans at Rudhaka Stadium, Mike Madzivanyika’s youthful team were wary of a Lancashire fight-back which saw the two teams draw 2-2 in the first leg at Baghdad.

And true to form, Lancashire refused to lie down and struck 10 minutes after halftime when Tafadzwa Mombeshora headed them level past a stranded Kowledge Jim.

Having drawn level, Lancashire surged forward in search of the winner and they thought they had gone ahead when Tongai Magwendere headed over the line after some poor handling by Jim. The assistant flagged him for offside, ejecting Lancashire coach Innocent Chogugudza from his seat. Chogugudza remonstrated with the referee before finally calming down.

Then with 18 minutes on the clock, Eagles struck the vital goal through Joel Mutepfa who scrambled the ball into the net from close range.

Their premiership status slipping from their fingers, Lancashire threw their all at Eagles to no avail.

When the final whistle went, Lancashire players gathered around the referee before they were finally pulled away by Chogugudza, PSL vice chairman Willard Manyengavana and ZIFA CEO Henrietta Rushwaya.

Shabanie Mine now stand an outside chance of qualifying after a 3-1 win over Mwana Africa who are still to register a point.

Wednesday's PSL Play-off Results:

Shabanie Mine 3-1 Mwana Africa; Eagles 2-1 Lancashire Steel

2008 Premier Soccer League Play-Offs:

TEAM	P	W	D	L	F	A	PTS
Eagles	4	3	1	0	10	5	10
Lancashire Steel	4	2	1	1	12	7	7
Shabanie Mine	4	2	0	2	6	9	6
Mwana Africa	4	0	0	4	4	12	0

2008 CBZ Premier Soccer League Top Goal Scorers:

23 GOALS: Evans Chikwaikwai (Njube Sundowns)
16 GOALS: Cuthberth Malajila (Highlanders)
15 GOALS: Edward Sadomba (Dynamos)
11 GOALS: Charles Chiutsa (Monomotapa)
9 GOALS: Douglas Zimbago (Highlanders)
8 GOALS: Daniel Zokoto (Monomotapa)
8 GOALS: Phillip Makanje (Lancashire Steel)
8 GOALS: Norman Maroto (Dynamos)
7 GOALS: Makai Kawashu (Monomotapa)
7 GOALS: Tendai Nyamadzawo (Lengthens)

2008 CBZ Premier Soccer League Final Standings:

TEAM		Played	Won	Drew	Lost	G/F	G/A	Points
1	C - Monomotapa	30	18	6	6	41	28	60
2	Dynamos	30	16	10	4	41	25	58
3	Njube Sundowns	30	15	3	12	42	36	48
4	Shooting Stars	30	12	8	10	37	26	44
5	Lengthens	30	11	8	11	37	41	41
6	Gunners	30	10	10	10	42	39	40
7	Highlanders	30	9	15	6	34	25	39
8	Kiglon	30	9	12	9	31	32	39
9	Underhill	30	9	11	10	38	44	38
10	Eastern Lions	30	9	11	10	24	27	38
11	Motor Action	30	11	4	15	32	42	37
12	CAPS United	30	8	12	10	35	32	36
13	P/O - Lancashire	30	10	6	14	37	45	36
14	R - Chapungu	30	9	7	14	31	32	34
15	R - Masvingo United	30	8	9	13	34	49	33
16*	R - CAPS FC	29	5	10	15	29	40	25
* Docked 3 points for using suspended player v Motor Action

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