Online Reporter
Onward Gangata, [email protected]
THE Central Region Soccer League will reach the half way mark this afternoon with four matches lined up across the region as the fight to control the title race intensifies.
It is very tight at the top of the table with just five points separating the leaders Blanket Mine and fourth-placed Kwekwe United.
The Gwanda based miners sit at the top with 38 points, same as second placed West Nicholson although, Blanket Mine have a superior goal difference.
Chapungu who spent the greater part of the first half of the campaign on top are third, a point behind the leaders.
Former Premiership side, Kwekwe United completes the top four on 30 points.
Gwanda Pirates, Tongogara and Grain Tigers follow closely all on 30 points.
At this stage, it is difficult to call who will run away with the coveted prize but a win this afternoon guarantees Blanket Mine of finishing top at the half way stage.
Luke Petros -Jukulile’s men are on the road to new boys Good Morning at Kotamai Stadium in Zhombe.
Air Force of Zimbabwe side, Chapungu, will be targeting maximum points at home to basement side, Matobo at Ascot Stadium.
Victory will take them back into second place should Blanket Mine win their match.
However, if Blanket Mine drops points, and Waru Waru secures victory, they will end the first half of the season at the top of the table.
Dark horses, West Nicholson, who have surprised everyone, including themselves, have secured a top three finish in this half of the season.
They have earned themselves the ‘giant slayers’ moniker after ending Chapungu and Tongogara’s unbeaten runs.
West Nicholson edged army side, Tongogara 1-0 last Friday at Phelandaba Stadium, to end the army side’s 16-match unbeaten run.
“I am very excited; this is the kind of environment we were expecting in the first half of the season,” said West Nicholson coach, Ofhani Muleya.
“It’s exciting that we worked as a team and the results kept coming.”
Muleya believes his side has a chance to pip the other teams to the title race.
He is hoping for a better second half of the season and a strong push in the title run-in.
“We are here just like everyone else, to compete and fight for promotion. I am hoping that we give the same performances in the second half of the season,” he added.
Weekend Results:
Dulibadzimu United 0-0 FC Platinum U19, MSU 1-0 ZRP Gwanda, Super Strikers 2-1 Sabi Gold Mine, Shabanie 0-1 Grain Tigers, West Nicholson 1-0 Tongogara.
Wednesday Fixtures:
Good Morning v Blanket Mine, Chapungu v Matobo, Gwanda Pirates v Shurugwi FC, Kwekwe United v Vhembe Stars Academy
