Online Reporter
Tendai Chara
Zimpapers Sports Hub
DESPITE surprising everyone including themselves by maintaining their place at the top of the MCM Estates Northern Region Soccer League, newboys Chingwere are not getting carried away.
Club chairman Ushabai Bvopfo has chosen the path of humility after watching with satisfaction as the Mhondoro outfit enjoy life at the summit.
Bvopfo is a man, who carefully picks his words before making any comments.
After six rounds of matches, Chingwere find themselves in a position that many would not have imagined, especially after the club’s protracted wrangle to secure a place in the Division One League.
They have had a dream start and have so far collected 14 out of a possible 18 points in their debut season. Unbeaten after six matches, Chingwere have the league’s most watertight defence, which has so far not conceded a single goal. They have notched four wins and two draws to remain the only unbeaten team in the 22-team league.
The team’s strike-force is equally effective, having pumped in seven goals.
With 10 goals apiece, PAM and the Golden Eagles are the only teams that have scored more goals than Chingwere.
Bvopfo is refusing to be carried away by the impressive run. “I admit that we had a good start. However, the reality of the situation is that we are still fighting relegation.”
“Our goal is to finish among the top five teams and I attribute this bright start to the preparations that we had,” Bvopfo said.
Second-placed Harare City are also riding on early momentum and have so far collected 11 points.
Coached by ex-Highlanders assistant Try Ncube, a vastly experienced coach, who boasts Premiership experience, Harare City made it clear before the onset of the season that all they want the championship trophy this year.
As it stands and if the team remain steadfast, the Harare City Council-owned team, who have collected 11 points, have realistic chances of becoming champions.
Ncube’s team is balanced, with competent strikers and dependable defenders.
They have so far scored seven goals and conceded only two. Third-placed PAM, who are also on 11 points, have only lost once and scored 10 times.
The team’s weakness, however, remains their defence, which has so far conceded six goals.
Conceding such a high number of goals after this number of games might, in the end, prove to be the team’s undoing.
Seasoned campaigners Black Rhinos and Golden Eagles have also shown their intentions of mounting a strong challenge for honours.
Although some might argue that it is still early days, the clubs know that results from the opening weeks matter in shaping their seasons.
Another experienced side, Banket United, find themselves in a strange position at the bottom, owing to their win-less start to the term in which they have managed just a draw.
Their defence is so far the worst in the league, having conceded nine goals.
Willard Katsande’s Rangers and Cranborne Bullets are also some of the teams that are yet to taste victory this season along with debutants Marere (third from bottom) who have so far lost three times in a row.
