Online Reporter
Lovemore Dube, Zimpapers Sports Hub
GOALS and flair have been sacrificed for job security in the Zifa Southern League, where, after 22 matches, the top goal scorer has managed just seven goals. This trend has raised concern for Zifa Southern Region chairman, Lloyd Munhanga.
The Division One League boss believes goals are a vital part of the game, essential for attracting fans and maintaining interest in the sport.
“Goals are what fans want to see. No matter how entertaining a match is, without goals, there’s not much to talk about. It is a concern,” said Munhanga.
He noted that coaches appear more focused on safeguarding their positions than encouraging attacking football, resulting in ultra-defensive formations, congested midfields and reinforced backlines.
“I understand coaches want to keep their jobs, and defensive play helps them avoid defeats or at least lose by respectable margins. That’s why we’re seeing fewer goals and it’s worrying. Our football fans derive satisfaction and value for money when they witness creativity and great goals.
“The absence of goals drives fans away. No matter how beautiful the display was, fans expect goals to accompany the majestic show,” Munhanga said.
He challenged coaches to strike a balance between securing results and entertaining the biggest stakeholder — the fan.
“Coaches and their teams owe it to the fans. Let us see creativity, entertaining football and plenty of goals,” said Munhanga, who has also coached and developed players who have gone on to play Division One and Premiership football.
As of last weekend, the top goalscorers in the Zifa Southern Region were tied on seven goals: Anesu Saiti of second-placed Bulawayo Chiefs and Marcellin Mlilo of Hwange.
Four players — Allan Tamburikayi of Mkhokheli Dube’s Zebra Revolution, Prince Nyathi of Victoria Falls Herentals, Mongameli Tshuma of Hwange and Tinotenda Chitete — have scored six goals. Junior Holland of Eagle Life, Nkayi United’s James Chivasa, Mthabisi Ncube of Bosso 90, Godwin Jena of Bulawayo Warriors and Dean Ndlovu of the National University of Science and Technology are all tied on five goals.
The worrying factor is that the conversion rate is poor even in the Premier Soccer League, where clubs typically look to Division One for talent.
In 1986, during a 14-team Super League season, Moses Chunga scored 30 goals. Today, strikers struggle to reach 15 goals in the Premiership.
It was common in the 1980s for teams in the Zifa Southern Region to score over 80 goals in a season, with strikers netting half a dozen in a single match.
Collin Nyambiya, who once scored 22 goals in half a campaign, believes the lack of creativity is to blame.
“We don’t have good wingers or midfielders to create chances and strikers, who are good finishers. As coaches, we have a tall order to address these issues,” said the former Highlanders, Railstars, Shabanie Mine and Zisco winger.
Meanwhile, Nkayi United continued their title chase with a 5–2 victory over Bosso 90 at Luveve Stadium on Saturday.
The result allowed Nkayi United to open a two-point lead over second-placed Bulawayo Chiefs, with Hwange trailing by seven points as the race reaches its home stretch, where every point is precious.
Hwange and Bulawayo Chiefs drew 1–1 at the Colliery on Saturday.
Results
Bulawayo Warriors 0-0 Nust, Blackrock 0-1 Imbizo, Hwange 1-1 Bulawayo Chiefs, Nkayi United 5-2 Bosso 90, Mainline 2-1 Jordan, Eagle Life 3-0 Ajax Hotspurs, Bulawayo City 1-1 Zebra, Talen Vision 0-1 Casmyn, Vic Falls City Herentals 1-0 Megawatt
Log
P W D L F A Pts
Nkayi United 22 15 5 2 35 11 50
Byo Chiefs 22 14 6 2 31 7 48
Hwange 22 12 7 3 34 11 43
Byo Warriors 22 11 6 5 27 13 39
Casmyn 22 11 3 8 21 15 36
Megawatt 22 9 7 6 13 11 34
Mainline 22 10 4 8 26 31 34
Talen Vision 22 9 6 7 25 12 33
Byo City 22 9 6 7 24 17 33
Blackrock 22 7 6 9 13 12 27
Herentals 22 6 9 7 15 15 27
Bosso 90 22 7 4 11 20 29 25
Zebra 22 7 3 12 23 38 24
Eagle Life 22 6 5 11 13 24 23
Imbizo 22 6 5 11 13 24 23
Jordan 22 6 4 12 17 28 22
NUST 22 4 6 12 11 25 18
Ajax Hotspurs 22 2 2 18 6 45 8
