adminBruce Chikuni
THE ZIFA Northern Region Division One Soccer League is scheduled to resume this weekend for the final lap of the season.
The championship has been on a month-long mid-season break.
Banket United unveiled former Warriors forward, Stewart “Shutto” Murisa, as their coach, during the break.
He replaced Paul “Popopo” Chimalizeni, who moved to leaders Simba Bhora as an assistant coach. Simba Bhora, Golden Eagles and Herentals have done enough to keep the race for the big prize unpredictable.
Going into the break, Simba Bhora had powered their way to claim the commanding spot, after accumulating 36 points.
Golden Eagles sit second, a point behind the leaders, and Herentals completes the top three, just two points off the pace.
Herentals were in the driving seat for the better part of the first round and their coach Paul Benza, believes the duration of the break might impact his men.
“The break was too long for us, maybe two weeks, was going to be proper but we will work with what is there, I just hope the rhythm wasn’t disturbed” said Benza.
“Our priority remains the same, we are still aiming to finish in the top four, nothing has changed.
“We are still in the process of roping in a few players, there hasn’t been anything concrete but we are definitely going to bring one or two on board.”
The Young Students will get the ball rolling with an away assignment to Leo Kurauzvione’s Golden Valley.
“No game is easy in the ZIFA Northern Region Division One Soccer League, and we will always give our best in every fixture,” he said.
“We are never worried about any opponent, all we know is every team is strong enough, especially in their backyard.
“We are going to pick from where we left off and fight to the end.”
The month-long break provided room for the Axis Solutions Super8 Cup.
Simba Bhora and Golden Eagles are the finalists of the inaugural tournament.
The date of the final is set to be confirmed in due course.
Mathew Masinge
Online Reporter