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Ricky Zililo, Senior Sports Reporter
HWANGE moved two places up the Southern Region Division One League table from fourth to second place following an impressive 3-0 away win over ZRP Bulawayo Province.
The coalminers, who have made their intentions of a quick return to the Premiership clear, are now a point behind leaders Tsholotsho FC, who are on 11 points after five games.
“It’s a competitive league and the championship race is a marathon. Consistency is key in this league and our hope is to keep improving with every game. Combinations are slowly coming up and what can shape our season is the effort we put, taking each game like a final and trying to pick up as many points as possible so that we end the season in a favourable position,” said Hwange coach Nation Dube.
The Southern Region Division One League is proving to be quite competitive, with just two points separating log leaders Tsholotsho and fifth-placed ZPC Hwange, who have nine points.
Hwange closed in on Tsholotsho courtesy of goals by former Chicken Inn midfielder Canaan Nkomo, Percy Sibanda and ex-Bulawayo City attacking midfielder Eddie Nkulungo.
The coalminers took advantage of Tsholotsho, Talen Vision and Makomo, who all dropped points by drawing their respective encounters.
Tsholotsho, coached by former Bantu Rovers and Nust gaffer Joseph Sibindi, drew 1-1 with Rahman Gumbo’s Makomo. Gift Runyararo Mandaza was on target for Tsholotsho, while Raymond Tangai’s strike ensured that Makomo returned to Hwange with a point.
Third-placed Talen Vision blew an opportunity to shoot to the top of the table by drawing their second consecutive game when they were held 2-2 by Indlovu Iyanyathela.
Last weekend Talen Vision were held to a 1-1 draw by new boys CIWU.
Talen Vision, who are among the championship favourites, could rue the four points they dropped in two successive weekends, as the league wears on.
ZPC Hwange kept within the title chasing pack by beating CIWU 2-1 at home, with Thomas Chimenya grabbing a brace and Denzel Ncube scoring for CIWU.
Casmyn, Bosso 90, Zim Leopards and Toronto are still searching for their first win of the season. Casmyn drew 1-1 against NRZ Leopards in Dete, with Bosso 90 playing to an identical score line against Zim Leopards. Toronto also played to a 1-1 draw against Moto Moto in Hwange.
Results
Saturday: Mosi Rovers 1-1 Main Line, ZRP Bulawayo Province 0-3 Hwange, Moto Moto 1-1 Toronto, NRZ Leopards 1-1 Casmyn, Talen Vision 2-2 Indlovu Iyanyathela, ZPC Hwange 2-1 CIWU
Sunday: Tsholotsho 1-1 Makomo, Bosso 90 1-1 Zim Leopards
Table
P W D L F A GD Pts
Tsholotsho 5 3 2 0 6 2 4 11
Hwange 5 3 1 1 8 1 7 10
Talen Vision 5 2 3 0 11 6 5 9
Makomo 5 2 3 0 6 3 3 9
ZPC Hwange 5 2 3 0 4 2 2 9
Mosi Rovers 5 2 1 2 6 8 -2 7
Indlovu Iyanyathela 4 1 2 1 4 4 0 5
CIWU 3 1 1 1 3 3 0 4
NRZ Leopards 3 1 2 1 2 2 0 4
Moto Moto 4 1 1 2 2 3 -1 4
Main Line 4 1 1 2 3 6 -3 4
ZRP Bulawayo 4 1 1 2 2 5 -3 4
Casmyn 4 0 3 1 2 3 -1 3
Bosso 90 4 0 3 1 2 4 -2 3
Zim Leopards 5 0 2 3 4 8 -4 2
Toronto 5 0 2 3 1 7 -6 2
@ZililoR
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