Battle for Chinhoyi hots up

 

Ray Bande
Senior Reporter

EIGHT rounds of league matches are remaining before the curtain comes down on an eventful Mutare Pool League (MPL) 2023/2024 season where the top three teams will earn a place in the National Champions League tournament set for Chinhoyi.

Even though it is played mainly in beer halls and alcohol selling spots, the exciting MPL continues to attract attention from people of different social backgrounds, teetotallers included.

Not even the complaints of maladministration, epitomised by the non-existence of an official bank account for the league, has robbed MPL of its following.

Only last weekend, MPL action resumed with different clubs locking horns in exciting encounters across the eastern border city.

Pacesetters Rozvie Empire edged a determined Snippers 13-11 in a tightly contested encounter, while Giants had a stroll in the park, thanks to a 13-0 walkover against the now defunct Golden Peacock.

Winsor got the better of Chigomba-based Mahoya 14-10.

In another encounter played on Sunday, Buffaloes were on the losing end 9-15 against a spirited Soul City, while troublesome Acid walloped Boss Kedha 17-7.

Fantasy beat Beloepass 14-10.

Star-studded Shoverland were in a merciless mood when they dismissed hapless Tagaz 16-8, while noisy Neighbourhood defeated Mandisa 17-7.

Villa Spot, one of the contenders for a spot in the Chinhoyi National Champions League tournament, got the better of Beer Garden 14-10, while gentlemen of the league, Old Mutual, lost to Mutare City 10-14.

T-One settled for a 12-all stalemate with Zhak Shiraq.

Chikanga narrowly beat Dangamvura Area 16-based Galaxy 13-11.

In an interview, MPL fixtures secretary, Lloyd ‘Hipstar’ Samanga said, “The top three teams will be going to Chinhoyi for the Champions League. As it stands, the log standings are quite tight, there are eight rounds of league matches games left before the curtain comes down on the season. Any team in the top five can settle for the top spot.”

Sunday’s Fixtures:

Golden Peacock v Winsor; Giants v Rozvie Empire; Mahoya v Buffalo; Snipers v Acid; Soul City v Fantasy; Boss Kedha v Shoverland; Beloepass v Neighbourhood; Tagaz v Villa Spot; Mandisa v Old Mutual; Beer Garden v T-One; Mutare City v Chikanga; Zhak Shiraq v Galaxy.