Bulawayo Chiefs extend Division One lead

Sports Reporter
BULAWAYO Chiefs stretched their lead at the top of the Zifa Southern Region Division One Soccer League from five to eight points after beating Ntabazinduna 1-0 at the weekend. While the log leaders who have amassed 46 points from 20 outings were celebrating, championship hopefuls Black Boots who are second on the log with 38 points were left licking their wounds after falling 0-1 to Bantu Rovers at home.

Bantu Rovers who are the dark horses got their early goal courtesy of a well-struck free-kick by their skipper Nqobizitha Masuku. They however, remain trailing Bulawayo Chiefs who look unstoppable by 11 points.

The last 10 games promise to be thrillers as Bulawayo Chiefs will be hoping to maintain their lead and probably win the title which will enable them to play in the Premiership.

In the relegation battle, Bulawayo Jumbos’ good run continued as they shocked Zimbabwe Saints 2-1 to move one place up the ladder.
Antony Nyathi and Linton Mathe scored for the Zimbabwe National Army side who are now fourth from the bottom, tied on 21 points with Mpumalanga.

Dalu Bhebhe, the Bulawayo Jumbos coach, praised his players for their fighting spirit and said they will keep fighting against relegation.
“The Zimbabwe Saints encounter was very tricky because their coach (Mark Mathe) knew most of my tactics since we had worked together at Gifford High School but I am happy that we managed to get maximum points. We will continue working hard so that we get positive results,” said Bhebhe.

Results
Saturday: Technosphere 4, Mkhosana 1; Tsholotsho FC 1, Mpumalanga 2; Bulawayo Chiefs 1, Ntabazinduna 0; ZPC Hwange 1, New West City 2; Quelaton 0, Rufaro 0; Black Boots 0, Bantu Rovers 1; Bulawayo Jumbos 2, Zimbabwe Saints 1

Log Standings
P    W    D    L    F    A    Pts
Bulawayo Chiefs        20    15    1    4    29    9    46
Black Boots        20    10    8    2    30    13    38
Bantu Rovers        20    11    2    7    21    13    35
Tsholotsho FC        20    9    5    6    22    17    32
Technosphere        20    9    4    7    26    19    31
Zimbabwe Saints        20    9    4    7    25    21    31
ZPC Hwange        20    8    6    6    32    21    30
New West City        19    9    3    7    24    22    30
Quelaton        19    9    2    8    26    26    29
Hwange Juniors        19    6    6    7    17    17    24
Mkhosana        20    7    2    11    16    32    23
Mpumalanga        19    5    6    8    16    22    21
Bulawayo Jumbos        20    6    3    11    16    29    21    Ntabazinduna        20    4    7    9    10    14    19
Ajax Hotspurs        19    5    1    13    13    30    16
Rufaro Rovers        19    3    4    12    10    28    13