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Ricky Zililo Sports Reporter
ZIFA Southern Region Division One Soccer League army club Bulawayo Jumbos are unfazed by their clash with run away log leaders Bulawayo Chiefs tomorrow at Headquarters One Brigade Barracks.
Bulawayo Jumbos have been enjoying a new lease of life under coach Dalu Bhebhe who joined them in July and tomorrow they will be hoping to take their unbeaten run to six matches.
In their last five outings, Bulawayo Jumbos have amassed 11 out of a possible 15 points registering three victories against Ajax Hotspurs, sixth placed Technosphere and former premiership club Saints. They played draws against Mkhosana and Bantu Rovers.
Bulawayo Jumbos are on position 12 on the log with 23 points from 22 outings.
Bhebhe predicted a tough encounter against the log leaders who have former national team and championship winning gaffer Rahman
Gumbo in their technical department.
“The match against Bulawayo Chiefs will be a tough game but we will see what will happen. Bulawayo Chiefs might be at the top of the log but they are just like any other team in the league who are enjoying a good run but Saturday’s game is a new game altogether.
“Hard work, unity and the players’ big hearts have carried us through this far and I am sure that if we stick to our usual game we will be able to get a positive result,” said Bhebhe. Unlike their opponents who have a star-studded squad, Bhebhe says he banks on teamwork with the likes of Antony Nyathi and Linton Mathe being some of his match winners.
Bulawayo Chiefs has a number of experienced players who have played in the Premiership who include strikers Cleopas “Balloteli” Dube, Kundishora Chakanyuka, Moreblessing Nyokanhete and Tedious Mugumanja.
Young George Majika has also been impressive for the championship contenders who are on 50 points and enjoy a six-point lead over second placed Black Boots.
While Bulawayo Jumbos and Bulawayo Chiefs will be battling at the army base, up along the Harare Road Black Boots will be playing host to Quelaton with third placed Bantu Rovers taking on Ntabazinduna at Luveve Stadium.
Mark Mathe’s Zimbabwe Saints will be hoping to recover from last weekend’s 1-2 defeat to Black Boots when they play host to unpredictable ZPC Hwange at Luveve Stadium tomorrow.
Fixtures
Tomorrow: Black Boots v Quelaton (Fairbridge), Zimbabwe Saints v ZPC Hwange (Luveve), Ajax Hotspurs v Mpumalanga (White City), Technosphere v Tsholotsho FC (Hwange), Bantu Rovers v Ntabazinduna (Luveve, 12noon), Mkhosana v New West City (Victoria Falls), Hwange Juniors v Rufaro (Hwange), Bulawayo Jumbos v Bulawayo Chiefs (HQ One Brigade Barracks)
Log
P W D L F A PTS
Bulawayo Chiefs 22 16 2 4 33 10 50
Black Boots 22 12 8 2 34 15 44
Bantu Rovers 22 12 3 7 22 13 39
New West 22 11 4 7 29 24 37
Tsholotsho 22 10 6 6 27 19 36
Technosphere 22 10 4 8 28 20 34
ZPC Hwange 22 9 6 7 34 23 33
Zimbabwe Saints 22 9 5 8 26 23 32
Quelaton 21 10 2 9 28 27 32
Hwange Juniors 22 8 7 7 22 18 31
Mkhosana 22 7 3 12 17 36 24
Bulawayo Jumbos 22 6 5 11 17 30 23
Mpumalanga 21 5 7 9 18 25 22
Ntabazinduna 22 5 7 10 11 16 22
Ajax Hotspurs 22 5 1 16 15 36 16
Rufaro Rovers 22 3 4 15 12 38 13
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