Chronicle Editor
Innocent Kurira, Sports Reporter
THE Zifa Southern Region Division One title puzzle is set to be solved at Ingagula Stadium on Saturday as the two top sides, Hwange FC and ZPC Hwange collide in what could be a title decider.
ZPC Hwange will seek to close the five point gap between them and Hwange, while the latter will be hoping to stretch their lead at the top of the table.
The coal-miners, who have made it no secret they want to make a quick return to top flight football are top of the log with 78 points while ZPC Hwange are second with 73 points.
Football pundit and avid Southern Region Division One follower Praise “Dumi” Dlakama has tipped Hwange to win the encounter.
“If ZPC win the encounter they will reduce Hwange’s lead at the top to two points. They will also get the three points for their match against disbanded Indosakusa.
“ZPC might not even play their match against Indlovu Iyanyathela who are struggling to pay referees and have failed to fulfil their recent home fixtures. ZPC could possibly play only two of their remaining four matches which is a plus for them,” said Dhlakama.
“Indlovu Iyanyathela could prove to be the kingmaker. If ZPC win, they will hope that the army side who enjoy a good record at the Colliery can repeat their past performances and salvage something out of their fixture against Hwange and ZPC will angle to capitalise on that if it does happen.
“Hwange on the other hand need eight points from the remaining 12 and a draw will be an advantage to them while a win will leave them needing just one win from their remaining three matches. It’s a close contest but I don’t see Hwange losing a game in their remaining fixtures including this one,” he said.
Hwange will have to make do without key defender Felix Chindungwe who was red carded against Casmyn in their 1-0 victory on Saturday at the Colliery.
The two teams drew 2-2 the last time they met and ZPC are the only team that has managed to breach the miserly Hwange defence twice in one match.
Former Bulawayo City coach, Try Ncube has joined Hwange as their new mentor as they seek to bounce back into the premier league. The club has been under the tutelage of Edmore Sibanda and Chipangano legend Obert “Cobra” Moyo since the departure of Bongani Mafu back in March.
Mafu, who laid the foundation for Hwange’s 2022 Zifa Southern Region Division One Soccer League campaign before leaving in March to join Ngezi Platinum Stars as assistant coach to Benjani Mwaruwari was being tipped for a return to Hwange after parting ways with Madamburo.
Other names that were considered by Chipangano are believed to be Bigboy Mawiwi and Masimba Dinyero. — @innocentskizoe
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