Border Strikers take pole position

Lovemore Zigara Midlands Correspondent
BEITBRIDGE-based Border Strikers edged fellow title contenders ZPC Munyati 2-1 at home on Sunday to shoot to the top of the Zifa Central Soccer League table.

Border Strikers overtook army side Tongogara, who were held to a goalless draw by Gweru United.

The border town club now sit atop on 40 points from 18 games, a point clear of Tongogara from the same number of games.

Border Strikers drew first blood through an own goal by a ZPC Munyati defender in the early stages of the game before the visitors equalised through striker Marshall Phiri in the 30th minute.

That was Phiri’s last contribution in the ill-tempered match as he was sent off for allegedly hurling insults at the referee.

The red card resulted in a 15-minute stoppage as ZPC Munyati protested the sending off.

Border Strikers sealed their win in the second half through former Chicken Inn striker Tendai Mukambi to secure maximum points and top the table for the first time.

Border Strikers gaffer Never Malunga boldly declared that the championship was now theirs to lose with 12 matches to go.

“Every team in the top five is fighting for the championship and it’s also our objective to be promoted. When you’re on top at this stage, the destiny is now in your hands and we can only blame ourselves if we don’t go all the way,” he said.

ZPC Munyati coach Rutherford Matondo bemoaned poor match officiating, but said his side would soldier on. The power generators are fourth on the table with 32 points.

Results

Vumbachikwe 1–1 Shabanie Mine, Tongogara 0–0 Gweru United, Ivan Hoe 3–0 Mvuma Stars, Chrome Stars 2–3 ZRP Beitbridge, Blanket Mine 0–1 MSU, Silo United 0–2 Sable Chemicals, Border Strikers 2–1 ZPC Munyati

Table

Team P W D L F A GD Pts

Border Strikers 18 12 4 2 24 7 17 40

Tongogara 18 11 6 1 23 7 16 39

Sable Chemicals 18 11 4 3 25 12 13 37

ZPC Munyati 18 9 5 4 23 14 9 32

Shabanie Mine 18 9 4 5 26 14 12 31

Platinum U-19 17 8 4 5 14 8 6 28

Gweru United 18 7 6 5 26 18 8 27

Ivan Hoe 18 7 3 8 23 20 3 24

Blanket Mine 18 6 6 6 19 16 3 24

MSU 18 6 3 7 22 25 -3 24