Ex-Kaizer Chiefs striker Luke Petros is on the brink of seeing his dream crash in Zimbabwe’s Castle Lager Premier Soccer League, with his team facing the dreaded relegation chop.
Petros is at the helm of a Zimbabwe Prisons and Correctional Services side, WhaWha, that has turned out to be the league’s punching bag, having lost 16 of the 26 matches played.
They won and drew five times apiece which translates to a paltry 20 points, exactly 35 points behind leaders FC Platinum, who they are set to host on Saturday.
The prison wardens have remained fixated at the basement of the log standings since the start of the season, with eight rounds of fixtures remaining before the season ends.
But Petros has refused to throw in the towel despite the odds stacked against them in his maiden elite league season as head coach.
“Mathematically we still have something to fight for because the other teams in the same situation are not that far from us,” Petros told FARPost.
“Our main problem has been failing to consistently pick points at home. We lost some games where I thought we could have easily won and that is now backfiring. The situation is ultimately not in our hands.
“At this point I can only hope for wins until the season ends but I must admit that its not going to be easy.
“The next four games will be crucial in determining where we will end and that also depends on how the other teams in the relegation zone perform.”
Last weekend they lost 3-1 to armyside Craneborne Bullets and their next match against the defending champions FC Platinum is undoubtedly a herculean task.
And Petros is relishing a date against the highly rated ex-Chippa United coach Norman Mapeza.
“They [FC Platinum] did beat us in the first leg, but the circumstances are now different. We are both chasing different and important goals. They have a good coach, and it has also been exciting to play against him.
“They want to win the title and we aim to avoid relegation. It means the match will be very difficult for both of us.
“If we managed to beat Highlanders and Chicken Inn at home, then we can also manage to beat them. The fighting spirit is there but lady luck hasn’t been on our side. I pray that changes sooner than later,” he added.
What gives Petros comfort is the fact that the teams in the relegation mix, Tenax CS, Harare City, Bulawayo City and ZPC Kariba are still within reach.
