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Ricky Zililo, Senior Sports Reporter
IT’S a make or break weekend for Southern Region Division One Soccer League title chasing trio of Bulawayo Chiefs, Bantu Rovers and Amagagasi, with former Zimbabwe international Hebert Dick saying a team which loses today will be eliminated from the race.
The championship race is headed for a nail-biting end and Dick believes all the teams will be cautious in their matches, hoping to catch their opponents on counter attacks.
Chiefs who top the table with 60 points, two ahead of Rovers and Amagagasi are at home against tricky Bosso 90 who are smarting from a 2-3 loss to Talen Vision. Rovers entertain perennial campaigners ZPC Hwange while Amagagasi are back in Bulawayo for a date with army side Indlovu Iyanyathela.
“These are tricky matches for all the top three teams and whoever loses this weekend is effectively out of the race. It’s an exciting race, but I don’t see any big scoreline victories because those who are after the title race will sit back, wait for the right time to strike and then defend. Opening up the game will expose them because all their opponents are tricky sides and can shock them,” said Dick.
About matches involving Chiefs, Rovers and Amagagasi, Dick said: “Bosso 90 surrendered a 2-0 lead to lose 2-3 to Talen Vision and they will want to bounce back.
They’re fragile when defending but playing against a side that is hard-pressed for victory they will be dangerous.
They have Ray Lunga who is quick and slippery and once played for Chiefs so he has an idea of the table-toppers’ defence. Chiefs are also good at pressing and power play, and will rely on their experienced players. It’s an exciting match and since there are no Premier Soccer League matches,
I’m sure Bosso 90 youngsters will enjoy support of their senior team’s fans.”
“Rovers blew away what looked like a comfortable lead at the turn of the final half and are just hoping that Chiefs drop points today so that they get back into the championship fold.
Rovers won’t have it easy as ZPC Hwange are also in with a mathematical chance and will want to fight for a respectable finish.
If Rovers draw or lose and Chiefs win, then their season will be as good as over. If Rovers lose and Chiefs win, the former will remain with 58 points and the latter will have an unassailable 63 points.
The same applies for Amagagasi, if they drop points and Chiefs win, then it’s over for the Victoria Falls based club,” said Dick.
Fixtures
Today: Bantu Rovers v ZPC Hwange (Luveve), Bulawayo Chiefs v Bosso 90 (Hartsfield), ZRP Hwange v Victoria Falls Tigers (cancelled), Talen Vision v Ntabazinduna (White City), Indlovu Iyanyathela v Amagagasi (Brad Barracks), ZRP Bulawayo Province v Black Boots (Fairbridge), Casmyn v Makomo (Turk Mine), Hwange Juniors v Technosphere (Hwange)
Table
P W D L F A GD Pts
Bulawayo Chiefs 28 18 6 4 42 15 27 60
Bantu Rovers 28 18 4 6 47 14 33 58
Amagagasi 28 17 7 4 34 12 22 58
ZPC Hwange 28 15 10 3 32 13 19 55
ZRP Bulawayo 28 11 10 7 31 19 12 43
Talen Vision 28 11 5 12 29 35 -6 38
Black Boots 28 9 9 10 36 30 6 36
Technosphere 28 9 9 10 20 28 -8 36
Indlovu Iyanyathela 28 9 7 12 24 31 -7 34
Bosso90 28 8 8 12 34 32 2 32
Makomo 28 7 11 10 21 24 -3 32
Victoria Falls Tigers 28 9 5 14 22 35 -13 32
Casmyn 28 7 10 11 25 25 0 31
Ntabazinduna 28 6 13 9 16 30 -14 31
Hwange Juniors 28 3 11 13 14 34 -20 20
ZRP Hwange 28 2 3 23 11 63 -52 9
— @ZililoR.
Online Reporter