Chronicle Editor
Innocent Kurira, [email protected]
ZIFA Southern Region Division One League title favourites, ZPC Hwange, suffered their first defeat of the season when they were edged 2-1 by Mainline at Dingumuzi Stadium in Plumtree at the weekend.
Proud Khuphe and Misheck Nyamutowera grabbed the goals that sank the power generators, while Dingani Maphosa scored for the visitors.
ZPC Hwange had gone 22 games unbeaten, which included 18 wins and four draws.
However, ZPC Hwange still top the league table with 58 points and lead second-placed Casmyn by 10 points as the league enters the final stretch.
ZPC Hwange boast an impressive line-up featuring former Bulawayo City forward Justin Kaunda, who has scored an impressive 13 goals this season aided by Courage Sibanda’s tireless work in midfield.
Maphosa has also made valuable contributions, netting seven crucial goals.
However, the team’s main strength lies in its defence, anchored by goalkeeper Harmony Nare as the last line of defence.
Veteran, Gerald Ndlovu and Dennis Ndhlovu, who recently returned from injury, have formed a solid partnership at the back. Right-back, Tafadzwa Pambariza has also put in a good shift this season.
The perennial campaigners have finished in the top four in the last three seasons and they are yet to find the formula for promotion.
They seem ready for the top-flight league if they don’t falter. Their points tally has given hope to the Hwange-based side that this could be their year.
Adachi who were not in action this weekend are in third position with 36 points and Nkayi United, who were held to a nil-all draw by Victoria Falls City at Chinotimba Stadium, are fourth with the same points as Adachi. Perhaps the surprise result of the weekend was Bosso 90 beating Zebra Revolution 2-0 at White City Stadium B-Arena.
Kudzayi Mhandire started his reign at Talen Vision on a losing note as they fell 1-2 to Indlovu Iyanyathela.
Southern Region Division One Soccer League Results
Jordan FC 2-1 Zimbabwe Saints, Mainline 2-1 ZPC Hwange, Ajax Hotspurs 1-1 DRC United, Indlovu Iyanyathela 2-1 Talen Vision, Bosso90 2 v 0 Zebra Revolution, Casmyn 3-0 Mosi Rovers, Victoria Falls 0-0 Victoria Falls.
ZIFA Southern Region Division One League log
P W D L F A GD Pts
ZPC Hwange 23 18 4 1 43 8 35 58
Casmyn 23 15 3 5 32 10 22 48
Nkayi United 23 10 6 7 31 22 9 36
Mainline 23 10 6 7 20 14 6 36
Adachi 22 10 6 6 19 15 4 36
Indlovu 22 9 7 6 26 21 5 34
Zim Saints 23 8 10 5 28 25 3 34
DRC United 22 8 6 8 17 18 -1 30
Zebra 22 8 5 9 34 33 1 28
Byo City 22 8 3 11 22 27 -5 27
Bosso 90 23 6 8 9 22 31 -9 26
Jordan 23 7 4 11 18 27 -9 25
Vic Falls City 22 5 8 9 16 26 -10 23
Talen Vision 23 5 7 11 19 26 -7 22
Mosi Rovers 22 3 8 11 12 33 -21 17
Ajax 22 2 6 14 15 37 -22 12
— @innocentskizoe.
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