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Onward Gangata in Gweru
KWEKWE United moved five points clear at the top of the Central Region Soccer League log table following a slender 1-0 win over city rivals Wangu Mazodze City, over the weekend.
The crucial win also helps Kwekwe to strengthen their bid to end a 16-year wait for a return to top-flight football in the Midlands City.
Lancashire Steel were the last team from Kwekwe to play in the Premier Soccer League (PSL) in 2008.
Now coach Prince Matore and his side outfit have given hope of the elite game in Kwekwe.
Kwekwe United have been in superb form this season going toe to toe with the league’s best teams.
The Blues, as Kwekwe United are affectionately known, are perched at the summit of the log standings with 38 points from 18 matches.
Second-placed Tongogara, who were inactive this past week are on 33 points while former Premiership side Chapungu are third on 32 points with both teams having played a game less.
Matore took over the reins at Kwekwe United at the beginning of the season and has transformed them into title contenders.
The former Motor Action and Chicken Inn coach reckoned that the victory over Wangu Mazodze City was the right tonic that his side needed at this delicate stage of the season.
“We created a lot of chances and we missed them, so I just told the boys to be composed, what is important is to keep fighting until the end.
“We got that one goal, it was good enough for the team to win and good motivation for the boys,” Matore said.
Matore, however, warned against getting too excited about sitting at the top.
He feels they now need to be focused for the rest of the campaign having already laid down the marker for the rest of the teams in the race for promotion.
“We have to focus on each game as it comes because we can’t talk much about the championship as there are a lot of games to come.
“All these upcoming games are difficult because now we are the team to beat, so it’s not going to be easy,” he added.
Matore lauded his charges for their handwork and mental fortitude.
“It’s all about hard work and mental strength, those two things can help to be a better player.
“It’s also about our character, we cannot complain all the time but we must have the right attitude and try to bring about results”.
While Kwekwe United were enjoying a fine outing, pre-season favourites, Sheasham suffered another setback in their quest for an instant return to the Premiership with a 1-0 away loss to Dinson Mvuma.
The Construction boys remain fourth on the standings, seven points behind the log leaders.
Meanwhile, in the Northern Region Soccer League, newly-appointed Scottland head coach Genesis Mangombe had a good start to life after his side managed to beat Zambezi Gas and Coal in his first assignment at Heart Stadium on Sunday.
Mangombe took over the reins at the title-chasing side last week and started life with a 1-0 win over the Centenary-based side.
Mangombe was happy with his win and said he is looking forward to continue doing well.
“I am happy with the win and I look forward to continue doing well. Credit to the boys they played as a unit and I am looking forward to more positive results.
“The race is still open and I am happy that we are within touching distance so we need to remain focused,” said Mangombe.
Scottland’s win will exert pressure on leaders MWOS and second-placed Black Rhinos who managed a goalless draw on Friday.
Northern Region Results
Herentals Under-20 1, Ngezi Platinum U-19 1; Black Rhinos 0, MWOS 0; Scottland 1, Zambezi Coal and Gas 0; Black Mambas 0, PAM 1; Norton Community 2, Karoi United 1; Golden Eagles 3, Shamva Mine 1; Agama 2 Cranborne Bullets 1; Trojan Stars 0, Chinhoyi Stars 0; Banket United 0, DZ Royal Stars 0; CCLEE Mhangura 0, Harare City 0.
Latest Standings
P W D L F A Pts
MWOS 21 13 5 3 34 11 44
Black Rhinos 21 12 7 2 27 14 43
Harare City 21 12 6 3 30 11 42
Scottland 21 13 3 5 25 12 42
Golden Eagles 21 9 10 2 25 12 37
Agama 21 9 9 3 27 19 36
Herentals U-20 21 9 7 5 28 20 34
PAM 21 7 8 6 16 17 29
C/Bullets 21 6 9 6 18 18 27
Shamva Mine 21 6 7 8 16 25 25
Ngezi U-19 21 5 9 7 17 18 24
N/Community 21 6 6 9 24 29 24
Karoi United 21 5 8 8 15 20 23
Banket United 21 4 10 7 10 13 22
Black Mambas 21 5 6 10 18 20 21
Trojan Stars 21 4 9 8 13 20 21
Chinhoyi Stars 21 4 9 8 14 27 21
C/Mhangura 21 4 4 13 10 29 15
DZ Royal Stars 21 3 5 13 10 26 14
Zambazi C& G 21 2 7 12 16 33 13
Central Region Results:
Dulibadzimu 2-0 Beitbridge
Shabanie 2-0 FC Platinum U19
West Nicholson 0-ZRP Gwanda
Bishopstone 1-2 MSU
Blanket Mine v Black Eagles (Match Abandoned)
Latest Standings
P W D L F A Pts
Kwekwe United 18 11 5 2 24 8 38
Tongogara 17 9 6 2 19 10 33
Chapungu 17 10 2 5 31 8 32
Sheasham 18 8 7 3 38 9 31
Dulibadzimu United 18 8 7 3 23 12 31
Blanket Mine 17 7 7 3 19 7 28
ZRP Gwanda 18 6 10 2 18 11 28
West Nicholson 18 7 6 5 18 14 27
FC/ Under-19 18 8 2 8 22 22 26
Shabani Mine 17 8 2 7 22 24 26
Mvuma Dinson 18 5 9 4 14 14 24
Wangu Mazodze 18 5 7 6 16 14 22
Beitbridge 18 4 5 9 15 25 17
Gokwe North 17 3 4 10 11 34 13
MSU 18 3 3 12 11 33 12
Bishopstone 18 2 5 11 12 38 11
Black Eagles 17 1 3 13 6 36 6
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