adminMzingaye Sibanda, Sports Reporter
ZIFA Southern Region Division One Soccer League Championship favourites Bulawayo Chiefs marched closer to the big prize with a 2-0 win over New West City at Portuguese Grounds yesterday.Bulawayo Chiefs grabbed the lead through a 24th minute penalty from George Majika who sealed his day with another goal in the second half.
The penalty however was hotly disputed by the home team who felt the incident did not deserve a penalty. The protests caused a 15 minute stoppage before calm eventually returned.
The New West City bench protested the decision and their players protested resuming play.
After the protest had ended Gorge Majika made no mistake from the spot kick as he beat Augustine Sibanda to put Bulawayo Chiefs in front.
Despite the lead Bulawayo Chiefs were on the back foot most of the first half as New West City kept on piling pressure in search of an equaliser.
The second period saw the home side taking off from where they had left with Bhekinkosi Mguni and Alton Ndlovu keeping the visitors’ defence busy.
However, it was Bulawayo Chiefs who went 2-0 up following a blunder by Innocent Ngwenya that allowed Toto Banda to gain possession and lay a sitter for Majika to finish off with 25 minutes of play remaining.
Bulawayo Chiefs coach Nkosiyazi Ncube said they were still positive about their chances to clinch the championship this year. “The future is still bright for us, it was a difficult game, but we managed to collect three points and now we are focusing on the next game,” said Ncube.
Meanwhile, Bantu Rovers edged Hwange Juniors 1-0 with Emerton Tshuma finding the back of the net in an early kick-off at the same venue.
It is now two wins from two games for their new coach Thulani Sibanda.
Online Reporter