TRIANGLE United coach Genesis Mangombe is brimming with confidence, asserting that his side possesses the mettle to defy relegation, even after a heart-wrenching 1-1 draw against CAPS United on Sunday.
The Lowveld outfit was a few minutes away from securing a vital win at Rufaro Stadium, only to be denied by a 90th-minute header from Ishmael Wadi.
Joel Munsaka's deflected flick, off a Witness Shave corner, had given Mangombe's men a deserved lead just after the halftime break.
A victory would have been monumental, lifting them out of the relegation zone for the first time all season and serving as a tangible reward for their impressive six-match unbeaten streak.
Mangombe, encouraged by his team's recent performances, emphasised the unwavering belief within his squad.
"You know, one thing for sure is we are very positive, and I think that is good within the team," Mangombe said.
"We are positive about what we are doing and we are working hard to make sure that we don’t get relegated at the end of the season. We have to trust in ourselves."
With 42 points still up for grabs, Triangle sees a genuine opportunity to turn their season around. A key factor in their favour will be playing seven of their remaining 14 games at their Gibbo Stadium, a venue often described by opponents as notoriously difficult.
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Home support could provide the crucial edge needed in tight encounters.
"Yeah, of course, home games now we need to capitalise and maximise," Mangombe stressed.
"If we win at home, then on the road, a draw would be good for us, especially when playing big teams like Caps United. They are not a bad side. They are a very good side and you can see it in the way they were playing. They showed a lot of intensity and a lot of tactical things. So I appreciate the point that we got."
Mangombe has masterminded a remarkable turnaround since replacing the sacked Luke Masomere at the end of April.
Under his guidance, Triangle have lost four of the 13 games he has overseen, securing four wins and drawing the rest. This promising run of form has significantly eased the club's relegation anxieties.
Currently enjoying a six-match unbeaten streak, the Sugar Sugar Boys have steadily closed the gap on their immediate challengers.
Although they sit third from the bottom with 18 points, they are three points adrift of Manica Diamonds in 12th position.
Such is the tightness of the log standings that just two wins could propel them from the relegation zone into the top half.
To bolster his squad for the final push, Mangombe has strategically added a number of experienced players during the current transfer window.
The new arrivals include Patson Jaure, unfortunately culpable for the mistake that led to Caps United's equaliser, along with his former Dynamos teammate Munyaradzi Mawadza, Ali Maliselo and Blessing Sarupinda.
The quartet impressed in their weekend outing against the Green Machine and Mangombe will be banking on their experience to guide the team through this critical phase.
Next up for Triangle is a formidable challenge at home against the 2023 Castle Lager Premier League champions, Ngezi Platinum Stars, on Saturday.
It's another opportunity for Triangle to prove that their unbeaten streak is no fluke, that their fight for survival is real, and that with Mangombe at the helm, they are more than ready to defy expectations and secure their place in the top flight.
Castle Lager Premier Soccer League Matchday 21 fixtures
Saturday: MWOS vs FC Platinum (Ngoni), Triangle v Ngezi Platinum Stars (Gibbo), Caps United v TelOne (Rufaro), Simba Bhora v Dynamos (Wadzanayi), Chicken Inn v Kariba (Luveve), Kwekwe United v Yadah (Bata), GreenFuel v Bikita Minerals (GreenFuel Arena), Manica Diamonds v Herentals (Sakubva)
Sunday: Scottland v Highlanders (Rufaro).
