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BULAWAYO BUREAU
AS the country’s elite football league enters into fever pitch mode, it was interesting to note that the league witnessed it’s second hat-trick when former Zimbabwe youth international Obriel Chirinda powered Bulawayo Chiefs to a massive victory over Triangle United in a match played at Gibbo Stadium over the past weekend.
Chirinda, has recently been in fine goal scoring form and his hat-trick follows a brace that he scored for Amakhosi Amahle when they got the better of former Cup Kings CAPS United in a match played at Luveve Stadium.
The hard running forward became the second player in the league to score a hat-trick.
Manica Diamonds’ Fortune Binzi was the first to score three goals in one match in late April when they thumped Premier Soccer League (PSL) new boys Sheasham.
“I’m happy to score my first hat-trick for the club. It is always good to do well for the club. I hope and pray that it will push me forward. It’s a big, big confidence booster that I achieved away from home,” said Chirinda.
The pacey striker, who has reportedly been pursued by log leaders Highlanders and former champions Chicken Inn, took his total season’s goal tally to seven, one behind leading top goal scorer Binzi.
It was a weekend that produced a total of 13 goals, nine being scored by away teams and four by home teams.
Chiefs were the biggest scorers and they are one of the six clubs that include Simba Bhora, Highlanders, Dynamos, Yadah and Hwange that managed to score away from their bases.
Manica Diamonds, CAPS United and Black Rhinos are the only clubs that managed to score at home in a fixture that produced two draws Black Rhinos being held to a 1-1 by Hwange, ZPC Kariba were held to 0-0 by Sheasham.
Nine clubs that include former champions FC Platinum, Chicken Inn , ZPC Kariba, Sheasham, Ngezi Platinum Stars, army side Cranborne Bullets , GreenFuel, Herentals and Triangle failed to find the back of the net. The league’s fixtures programme enters into round 16 on Saturday with GreenFuel set to meet Dynamos at Gibbo Stadium.
Yadah FC will play host to Chicken Inn at Baobab Stadium.
Cranborne Bullets will be home to Ngezi Platinum Stars in a match that will be played at Nyamhunga Stadium.
Bulawayo Chiefs will be hoping to continue with their winning ways when they entertain Herentals at Luveve Stadium.
CAPS United have a home tie against Triangle at Gweru’s Bata Stadium.
On Sunday, Bosso will square it off against Manica Diamonds at Barbourfields Stadium while Sheasham do duty against Black Rhinos. Simba Bhora will face ZPC Kariba at Baobab Stadium. Hwange have a home match against Norman Mapeza mentored FC Platinum.
Online Reporter