Impressive start for Claremont

Liberty Dube
NYANGA-BASED team, Claremont FC started the ZIFA Manicaland Division Two Soccer League season with a bang, acquiring six points in their first two league matches.

The potentially intriguing season commenced a fortnight ago with 12 teams battling it out for promotion into the more fashionable ZIFA Eastern Region Division One League.

Claremont is at the apex after beating Eastern Highlands 3-2 and newcomers, Chikobvore 3-0.

Watermark is on second position with four points after winning one match and drawing another.

The Rusape-based team humiliated Sisal Stars 11-1 at home before settling for a three-all stalemate with Midway.

Midway is occupying position three with the same number of points after edging The Africa Trust 1-0 in their first match. In their second match, Midway drew three-all with Watermark.

Redwing Mine are also tied on fourth position with the same number of points after beating Chiwere United one-nil and drew with ZRP Mutare.

Newcomers from Arda Transau, AK-47 acquired priceless three points against Chikobvore before losing 1-2 to The Africa Trust outfit in their second match. Chiwere and The Africa Trust are positioned sixth and seventh respectively with three points apiece.

Nhedziwa United are yet to win a match after they drew one-all with ZRP Mutare and 2-2 with Eastern Highlands.

Chikobvore are anchoring the log with zero points after losing two of their opening matches.

FC Crest Valley, who were promoted into the ZIFA Manicaland Division One league pulled out without even kicking a ball for reasons better known to themselves. They were replaced by second placed Bottle Tigers.

ZIFA Manicaland provincial administrator, Kundai Makwarise, said the season was progressing well so far.

“We are happy that all is going on well and we are looking forward to having an exhilarating season. We strongly urge clubs to continue fulfilling their fixtures even though we all understand that we are operating in an economically tough environment,” he said.

This weekend’s fixtures:

AK 47 vs Chiwere United, Claremont vs The Africa Trust, Midway vs Chikobvore Stars, Nhedziwa United vs Watermark, Redwing Mine vs Eastern Highlands, Sisal Stars vs ZRP Mutare.