Mabaleka confident despite slow start

BOSSO 90 coach, Melusi “Mabaleka” Sibanda says his young side will come good in no time despite a somewhat slow start to this year’s Zifa Southern Region Division One campaign.

The developmental side lost their opening game 2-1 against Bulawayo City before playing to a one-all stalemate against Indlovu Iyanyathela at the weekend.

Sibanda says he has picked up some positives from the two games.

“We had some of our players promoted to the senior team while others joined other teams, but the team is shaping up and results will be coming in no time. The majority in the team are boys who are under the age of 20,” said Sibanda.

Former top-flight teams, Zimbabwe Saints and Bulawayo City, who bounced back to the league through the back door, continued with their winning ways this season to become early favourites.

In the opening week, Saints emerged 1-0 victors over Adachi while Bulawayo City won 2-1 against Bosso 90.

This past weekend, action got into the second round and the two teams again won their games.

Bulawayo City beat Main Line 1-0 while Saints won 3-1 against DRC.

Zimbabwe Saints were kicked out of the same league last year for failure to pay affiliation fees, among other expectations.

Bulawayo City last played in the Premier Soccer League in the 2022 season and were relegated after a dismal campaign and opted to play Division Two and had an academy concept in mind.

The region has brought on board Rugare Medical, who are set to sponsor the Division One Monthly and End of Year Awards, for players and match officials.

Rugare Medical is an organisation dedicated to providing essential health, medical aid, renal unit and social care services across Zimbabwe.

Results

Nkayi United 5-1 Jordan FC, Main Line 0-1 Bulawayo City, Bosso 90 1-1 Indlovu Iyanyathela, ZPC Hwange 1-0 Casmyn, Talen Vision 0-0 Adachi, Zebra Revolution 4-2 Mosi Rovers, Zim Saints 3-1 DRC, Vic Falls City 1-1 Ajax Hotspurs