adminRicky Zililo Sports Reporter
ZIFA Southern Region Division One Soccer League log leaders Bulawayo Chiefs collected their first set of points in the second half of the season after beating Tsholotsho FC 1-0 in Plumtree on Saturday.The star-studded Bulawayo Chiefs had in their last two matches lost by identical 1-0 score line to Quelaton and Hwange Juniors.
On Saturday, former Quelaton striker Tedious Mugumanja scored a late goal at Dingumuzi Stadium to make sure that Bulawayo Chiefs went home with maximum points against a Tsholotsho FC side which had in the first leg beat them.
Bulawayo Chiefs who have amassed 40 points after 18 matches remain glued at the top of the log and enjoy a five-point lead over second placed Black Boots who beat Hwange Juniors 1-0 at Fairbridge.
On the other hand, Tsholotsho FC who according to reports from Plumtree had held their own against championship favourites were unlucky not to salvage a point. Tsholotsho FC are third on the table but now trail Bulawayo Chiefs by eight points.
Meanwhile, Thulani “Thuts” Sibanda started his reign as Bantu Rovers coach on a bright note as former Highlanders striker Abraham Mbaiwa and national Under-20 captain Nqobizitha Masuku scored a goal each in Tshintsha Guluva’s 2-0 win over Ajax Hotspurs.
Sibanda was satisfied with the result.
“Just like any other coach I am happy that I got maximum points in my first game and we hope to improve on the few lapses that we had. Ajax Hotspurs are a good side and they gave us a good run but I am happy that my players managed to contain the situation,” said Sibanda.
Results
Saturday: Quelaton 2, ZPC Hwange 3; Bulawayo Chiefs 1, Tsholotsho Pirates 0; Black Boots 1, Hwange Juniors 0; Bantu Rovers 2, Ajax Hotspurs 0; Ntabazinduna 0, Mpumalanga 0; Bulawayo Jumbos 2, Technosphere 0; Mkhosana 1, Zimbabwe Saints 0
Fixtures
Tomorrow: Mpumalanga v Quelaton (Hwange), Mkhosana v Black Boots (Victoria Falls), Ntabazinduna v Tsholotsho (Ntabazinduna), New West City v Bulawayo Chiefs (Portuguese), Rufaro v ZPC Hwange (Hwange), Zimbabwe Saints v Technosphere (Fairbridge), Bantu Rovers v Hwange Juniors (Portuguese, 12pm)
Wednesday: Ajax Hotspurs v Bulawayo Jumbos (Portuguese)
***All matches start at 3pm unless stated.
Log
P W D L F A Pts
Bulawayo Chiefs 18 13 1 4 26 9 40
Black Boots 18 9 8 1 28 12 35
Tsholotsho FC 18 9 5 4 21 13 32
Bantu Rovers 18 9 2 7 19 13 29
Technosphere 18 8 4 6 22 17 28
Zimbabwe Saints 18 8 4 6 23 19 28
Quelaton 18 9 1 8 26 26 28
ZPC Hwange 18 7 6 5 27 18 27
New West City 17 8 3 6 22 19 27
Hwange Juniors 18 6 6 6 17 16 24
Mkhosana 18 7 2 9 15 26 23
Ajax Hotspurs 18 5 2 9 14 23 17
Mpumalanga 18 5 2 11 12 26 17
Ntabazinduna 18 3 7 8 8 13 16
Bulawayo Jumbos 18 4 3 11 12 27 15
Rufaro Rovers 17 3 3 11 9 24 12
Online Reporter
derick.khumalo