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Ricky Zililo, Sports Reporter
ZIMBABWE National Army bankrolled Bulawayo Jumbos eased their relegation worries following their 1-0 win over log leaders Bulawayo Chiefs.
Linton Mathe who has developed the nerve to score crucial goals for the Dalubuhle Bhebhe coached Bulawayo Jumbos ensured that his team got maximum points with a 88th minute strike.
The result saw Bulawayo Chiefs’ lead at the top being reduced to five points after 23 matches having gained 50 points.
Black Boots who were held to a one-all draw by Quelaton are second on the log with 45 points.
Bulawayo Jumbos’ coach Bhebhe was happy with his players’ performance and is confident that they are going to survive relegation.
“It’s good to beat a team that is at the top and the victory against Bulawayo Chiefs will go a long way in motivating our players as well as in our fight against relegation. I think this was one of our most difficult games and now that this is over, we want to concentrate on our remaining matches and work hard to get maximum points,” said Bhebhe.
Following Bulawayo Chiefs’ shock 0-1 defeat to Bulawayo Jumbos, the championship race has been thrown wide open with seven matches left and expectations are high that the title race will now be fought to the wire.
Bulawayo Chiefs still have to play second placed Black Boots and third on the table Bantu Rovers who beat Ntabazinduna 1-0 on Sunday courtesy of a Bongani Ziwini goal.
Bantu Rovers now trail Bulawayo Chiefs by eight points.
Former How Mine and FC Platinum coach Philani Mabhena said the level of competition in the Zifa Southern Region Division One is interesting.
“What we are seeing in Division One is very healthy for the development of the game. You really need such competition so that it prepares clubs for the Premiership. I foresee a situation where the winner of the league will be decided on the last day of the season and more surprises are coming.
“The good thing is that even teams at the bottom of the log are proving to be stubborn and since they want to avoid relegation, they are aware that their survival depends on each of the remaining matches and they raise their standard of play,” said Mabhena.
The possibility of a National First Division League might be an inspiring catalyst for all the clubs to give their best as the season is in its final stretch.
At the end of the season, the top team from each of the four Zifa Division One League – Northern, Central, Southern and Eastern – will be promoted to the Premiership.
The remaining top three teams being joined by the four relegated teams from the Premiership.
Results
Saturday: Black Boots 1, Quelaton 1; Zimbabwe Saints 3, ZPC Hwange 0; Ajax Hotspurs 1, Mpumalanga 3; Technosphere 1, Tsholotsho FC 0; Mkhosana 1, New West City 2; Hwange Juniors 2, Rufaro 0; Bulawayo Jumbos 0, Bulawayo Chiefs 1
Sunday: Bantu Rovers 1, Ntabazinduna 0
Log
P W D L F A PTS
Bulawayo Chiefs 23 16 2 5 33 11 50
Black Boots 23 12 9 2 35 16 45
Bantu Rovers 23 13 3 7 23 13 42
New West 23 12 4 7 31 25 40
Technosphere 23 11 4 8 29 20 37
Tsholotsho 23 10 6 7 27 20 36
Zimbabwe Saints 23 10 5 8 29 23 35
Hwange Juniors 23 9 7 7 24 18 34
ZPC Hwange 23 9 6 8 34 26 33
Quelaton 22 10 3 9 29 28 33
Bulawayo Jumbos 23 7 5 11 18 30 26
Mpumalanga 22 6 7 9 21 26 25
Mkhosana 23 7 3 13 18 38 24
Ntabazinduna 22 5 7 11 11 17 22
Ajax Hotspurs 23 5 1 17 16 39 16
Rufaro Rovers 23 3 4 16 12 40 13
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