Lovemore Dube [email protected]
CURTAINS come down on the 2026 Zifa Southern Region Division One League, sponsored by Pacific Breeze, today, with the final round of fixtures set to determine the last relegation place and the winner of the Golden Boot award.
While Hwange have already secured the championship and promotion to the Premier Soccer League, attention shifts to the battle for survival, with Imbizo and Aqua Stars facing anxious afternoons as they fight to retain their Division One status.
Mosi Rovers, Bosso90 and Njube Spurs have already been confirmed as the three relegated teams, leaving Imbizo occupying the remaining relegation position on 29 points, two behind Aqua Stars, who are also not yet safe.
Both sides need victories to strengthen their chances of survival, although Imbizo’s fate will also depend on results elsewhere. They must beat Hardrock and hope Aqua Stars lose to Megawatt to escape relegation.
The Hwange-based clubs hold the key to the outcome of the survival battle, with Megawatt hosting Aqua Stars while Hardrock entertain Imbizo.
Sixth-placed Megawatt will be keen to finish among the top six after beginning the season with high expectations following their 2024 championship triumph, before selling their Premier Soccer League franchise to MWOS.
Aqua Stars, however, face a difficult assignment against a side eager to finish the campaign strongly. They will also be hoping Hardrock can do them a favour by stopping Imbizo.
Hardrock, who recently eliminated Highlanders from the Munhumutapa Challenge Cup Round of 32, will be expected to approach their final assignment with determination as Imbizo fight to preserve their league status.
Meanwhile, newly crowned champions Hwange will host Bulawayo City at Colliery Stadium, looking to conclude a successful campaign with another victory.
The match will be their first home fixture since securing the championship and promotion, with a sizeable crowd expected to turn out for what should be a celebratory atmosphere.
Hwange head into the final round on 76 points, four ahead of second-placed Talen Vision, who have 72. The title is already beyond reach for the Bulawayo side, even if they win their final match by a huge margin.
Talen Vision will conclude their campaign against fourth-placed Nkayi United, while Morris Mukwiti’s Khami United, who have enjoyed an impressive second half of the season, take on Jordan.
Jordan have recorded the second-best results in the second half of the 2026 campaign, behind Talen Vision, and will be looking to maintain that momentum in their final assignment.
With the championship already decided and the relegation battle approaching its conclusion, another contest will be settled today as the league’s leading scorers compete for the 2026 Golden Boot award.
Talen Vision forward Gabriel Rugoho leads the race with 16 goals, one ahead of Hwange’s Morestuff Ncube, while Bulawayo Warriors striker Marshall Murambiwa is third with 14.
Hwange’s Justin Kaunda and Ian Mostafa of Victoria Falls Herentals have each scored 13 goals, while Jordan’s Jephias Sibanda has found the net 12 times.
Kaunda will have an opportunity to improve his tally when Hwange face Bulawayo City, while the other leading contenders will also be hoping to finish the season with goals.
With survival, final league positions and individual honours still to be settled, the final round promises plenty of interest despite the championship having already been decided.
Top Goalscorers
16 — Gabriel Rugoho (Talen Vision), 15 — Morestuff Ncube (Hwange), 14 — Marshall Murambiwa (Bulawayo Warriors), 13 — Ian Mostafa (Victoria Falls Herentals), Justin Kaunda (Hwange), 12 — Jephias Sibanda
(Jordan), 9 — Nqobani Mpofu (Khami United), Bandile Moyo (Victoria Falls Herentals), Sipho Ncube (Casmyn)
Fixtures
Today
Aqua Stars v Megawatt (White City), Zebra Revolution v Casmyn (White City B), Talen Vision v Nkayi United (Chiefs Village), Njube Spurs Bulawayo Warriors (White City B Arena), Khami United v Jordan
(Khami), Zimbabwe Saints v Mosi Rovers (Cancelled), Imbizo v Blackrock ((Imbizo Barracks), Victoria Falls Herentals v Bosso90 (Chinotimba), Hwange v Bulawayo City (Hwange)
