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Ricky Zililo Sports Reporter
ALL eyes in the Zifa Southern Region Division One Soccer League will be on Bulawayo Chiefs this weekend who take on New West City in Plumtree tomorrow. This will be Bulawayo Chiefs’ first match without their head coach Thulani “Thuts” Sibanda who was fired under the guise that he will head the club’s development side on Monday.
Yesterday afternoon, Bulawayo Chiefs opted to have a training match against a select side in Plumtree as part of their preparations for the weekend game.
According to sources, Rahman Gumbo will overally be in charge as has been the case since his arrival while Sibanda was more of his assistant. Gumbo has introduced his favourite 3-5-2 formation at the club.
He is assisted by former Emakhandeni Pirates gaffer Nkosiyazi “Juice” Ncube.
Ncube was assistant coach to Sibanda.
“The team trained in Plumtree so that the technical team gets to implement their tactics at the venue. Gumbo and Juice (Ncube) were the ones who were in charge of the training at Dingumuzi Stadium and from the look of things they are going to sit together on the bench against New West City,” said a source.
Gumbo has been seen behind Bulawayo Chiefs’ bench whenever they play at home, sharing notes with Sibanda.
Bulawayo Chiefs has a six-point cushion lead with 28 points from 11 matches after winning nine encounters, losing once to second placed Black Boots and played to a goalless draw against Ntabazinduna last weekend.
Bulawayo Chiefs are championship favourites and have assembled one of the strongest squads.
Some of Bulawayo Chiefs’ players who have made sure that the club which uses Dingumuzi Stadium in Plumtree as their home ground sit at the top of the log include striker Gabriel Nyoni, Gift Saunyama, skipper Lindelani “Vice” Ncube, left back Joseph Museve and veteran striker Sizalobuhle Dube.
They also have ex-Premiership trio of Kundishora Chakanyuka, Fortune “Fokoza” Ncube and Tedious Mugumanja who can lead them to glory.
New West City who are on position 10 on the log with 14 points can spring a surprise and Bulawayo Chiefs can under rate them at their own peril.
In other matches, former Highlanders, Njube Sundowns midfielder Mephias Webb will lead Ajax Hotspurs which has among other players former national Under-17 midfielder Chrispen Machisi, Peter Mduhwa, Mduduzi Dube, Pardon Dube and Maxwell Mburayi when they take on struggling Bulawayo Jumbos.
Fixtures
Tomorrow: Hwange Juniors v Bantu Rovers (Hwange), Bulawayo Jumbos v Ajax Hotspurs (Brad Barracks), ZPC Hwange v Rufaro Rovers (Hwange), Bulawayo Chiefs v New West (Plumtree), Tsholotsho v Ntabazinduna Prison (Tsholotsho), Black Boots v Mkhosana ( Fair Bridge), Quelaton v Mpumalanga (Luveve)
Sunday: Technosphere v Zimbabwe Saints (Hwange).
Online Reporter