Hwange , Tsholotsho held

Ricky Zililo, Senior Sports Reporter
ZIM Leopards held Tsholotsho to a 1-1 draw, denying the former Premiership side an opportunity to close in on Southern Region Division One League leaders Hwange.

The draw for Cosmas “Tsano” Zulu’s Zim Leopards saw them taking their unbeaten run to five games. They last lost a match on September 15 when they fell 2-1 to Makomo. That loss was followed by four wins on the trot against NRZ Leopards, Moto Moto, ZRP Bulawayo and Bosso 90.

With Hwange, who are on 63 points, sharing spoils with Bosso 90 in a 0-0 draw, Tsholotsho could have reduced the coalminers’ lead from eight points to six, prolonging Hwange’s confirmation as regional champions.

Hwange need just a point to get to an unassailable 64 points.

“We knew that Bosso 90 were going to give us a good run for our money and I’m happy that we managed to avoid defeat and pick up a point. Now our focus shifts to our next game where we have to make sure we get the job done and finish off Tsholotsho ourselves. Being the last stages of the season, we have to make sure that we fully concentrate and avoid losing games,” said Hwange coach Nation Dube.

Hwange’s choice to build their squad around seasoned players like striker Gilbert Zulu, who tops the scoring chart with 19 goals from 27 games, defenders Gerald Ndlovu and Felix Chindungwe, defensive midfielder Andrew Chuma as well as attacking midfielders Canaan Nkomo and Eddie Nkulungo, is paying off with a Premiership ticket.

To their credit, Tsholotsho made the race interesting, effectively competing and were hard done by inconsistencies by dropping points at crucial stages of the race.

“We’ll effectively compete to the last whistle and I’m proud of the effort put by my boys. It hasn’t been an easy season, but their work rate, dedication and desire to post positive results is just commendable. Even if we are out of the championship, we want to finish the season strongly,” said Tsholotsho coach Joseph Sibindi.

Some of the players that drove Tsholotsho’s cause include the pair of Tinashe Mthimkhulu and Michael Bhebhe, who are on loan from Chicken Inn, and experienced midfielder Welcome Ndiweni, who has made cameo appearances.

They also have former How Mine winger Adolf Muganyi, who was on a mission to resuscitate his career, central defender Ashleigh Ndiweni, goalkeeper Norman Zimba and dribbling wizard Mcebisi Moyo.

After their Hwange visit, Tsholotsho’s last two games are against Toronto and Casmyn.

Champions in waiting Hwange will play Mosi Rovers in Victoria Falls and cap the season with another derby against perennial campaigners ZPC Hwange.

Results
Saturday: ZPC Hwange 1-1 Main Line, ZRP Bulawayo Province 0-0 Toronto, Bosso 90 0-0 Hwange, Tsholotsho 1-1 Zim Leopards, Mosi Rovers 0-0 Makomo, Talen Vision 2-1 CIWU, NRZ Leopards 2-3 Indlovu Iyanyathela, Moto Moto 3-0 Casmyn

Table
P W D L F A GD Pts
Hwange 27 19 6 2 56 12 44 63

Tsholotsho 27 15 10 2 35 16 23 55

ZPC Hwange 27 13 11 3 26 12 14 49

Talen Vision 27 12 10 5 37 17 20 46

Makomo 27 12 10 5 36 27 9 46

Indlovu Iyanyathela 27 12 8 7 35 24 11 44

Bosso 90 27 9 10 8 23 22 1 34

Zim Leopards 27 9 7 11 28 34 -6 34

Moto Moto 27 7 11 9 21 24 -3 32

CIWU 27 7 10 10 27 28 -1 31

Mosi Rovers 27 8 6 13 27 35 -8 30

Casmyn 27 7 8 12 17 28 -11 29