adminMidlands Correspondent
GATHS Mine made their intentions of playing Premiership football clear when they hammered newcomers Chomumvuri Pirates 5-1 in a Zifa Central Soccer League encounter played in Gokwe. However, the league did not get off to the best of starts as two matches were cancelled.
The Gweru derby pitting MSU and Hwahwa was cancelled after heavy rains pounded the Midlands capital on Saturday while the highly anticipated Gweru City/Town United match was not played as United failed to turn up for the match.
Failure by Town United to turn up for their first fixture comes amid reports that Beitbridge Town Council which bankrolls the side has withdrawn its support leaving the side in financial dire straits.
Efforts to get a comment from the side’s public relations officer, Raniel Ndou were fruitless as he was not picking up his phone.
After the weekend matches Gaths Mine now top the log standings. They scored through Tatenda Mugoniwa, Fanuel Sibanda, Tichaona Jaya and the Kwashi brothers, Ajaya and Kudzanai.
The Mashava based outfit gaffer, Andrew Chisunga said the side is chasing promotion.
“Gaths Mine has been one of the seasoned campaigners in the history of Division One football and our objective this season is to get promoted,” he said.
Besides the Kwashi brothers who are driving the team, the asbestos miners have in their ranks the former Hardbody duo of goalkeeper Privilege Rutsate and Fanuel Sibanda.
In other matches Chrome Stars opened their 2014 season account with a 1-0 win over league returnees Blanket Mine while league newcomers succumbed to a 0-1 loss to army side Tongogara.
FC Platinum Under-19 and Vumbachikwe shared the spoils in a 1-1 draw played at Mandava Stadium while Sino lost at home to ZRP Beitbridge 2-3.
Results
Chrome Stars 1-0 Blanket Mine; Silo United 2-3 ZRP Beitbridge; FC Platinum Under-19 1-1 Vumbachikwe; Nkayi 0-1 Tongogara; Chomumvuri Pirates 1-5 Gaths Mine; MSU/Hwahwa (postponed) Gweru City/Town United (Town United did not turn up)
Online Reporter