adminRicky Zililo Senior Sports Reporter
FIVE strikers are in the running to land the Nokel Security Southern Region Soccer League top goalscorer of the month award which will be decided after this weekend’s fixtures.
The prize money for the top marksman is $150.
Three players — Lungile Nyathi of Victoria Falls’ Amagagasi, Bulawayo City’s Humphrey “Muchichwa” Ncube and April winner James Chivasa of Ntabazinduna — have each scored two goals while Collin Tshuma and Admire Banda have three goals each.
Tshuma turns out for Indlovu Iyanyathela while Banda plays for ZPC Hwange.
Chivasa won the April award after netting three goals and it seems the winner for May might surpass that figure.
Zifa Southern Region board member Tumediso Mokoena said strikers in their league have been inspired by the award and are looking forward to more goals.
“All the strikers want to score more goals as a result of this award and this has made the league exciting,” said Mokoena.
He said they were looking forward to other companies sponsoring such awards as the best goalkeeper, defender or midfielder.
“We’re open to those who want to partner us as we try to develop football and make Southern Region Soccer League competitive,” said Mokoena.
Banda and Tshuma have a chance to take their goals tally to four when their sides take on Mpumalanga and Technosphere respectively.
Banda’s ZPC Hwange are at the top of the table and remain the only unbeaten team in the league after seven matches.
The electricity generators are expected to have an easy walk in the park against third from bottom neighbours Mpumalanga.
Both teams go into tomorrow’s fixture having picked a point from their last outings.
ZPC Hwange are aware that any slip-up could see them surrender top position and Banda will be among key players to lead their search for maximum points.
Tshuma’s 10th placed Indlovu Iyanyathela play host to Technosphere at HQ One Brigade tomorrow hoping to register a second consecutive win following last weekend’s 2-1 away win over Amagagasi.
A win for Indlovu Iyanyathela will get them into the top eight, something that their coach Bekithemba Ndlovu has been hoping for as his team continues to improve with every outing.
Ncube hit a brace for Bulawayo City in the 3-0 win over Hwange Juniors and the forward will be hoping for another good outing when his side takes on Nust.
Amagagasi will be hoping to bounce back from a shocking 1-2 home loss to Indlovu Iyanyathela when they travel to Hwange for a date with wounded Makomo FC.
Chivasa will be Ntabazinduna’s trusted forward when they take on Hwange Juniors at the Colliery.
Fixtures
Saturday: Casmyn vs Old Nic Mine (Turk Mine), Black Boots vs Bulawayo Chiefs (Fairbridge), ZPC Hwange vs Mpumalanga (Hwange), Trumus vs Bantu Rovers (Victoria Falls), Hwange Juniors vs Ntabazinduna (Hwange), Indlovu Iyanyathela vs Technosphere (Brady Barracks), Nust vs Bulawayo City (Nust)
Sunday: Makomo FC vs Amagagasi (Hwange).
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