adminTobias Mandoreba Hwange Correspondent
The Zifa Matabeleland North Division Two League kicked off last weekend with lots of thrilling matches played in Hwange and the resort town of Victoria Falls. In a start to a season of promise, it was Makomo FC who fired the loudest shots of their intentions to play in Division One next year after a brilliant performance to silence the Never Munkuli-coached Hwange Under-17s side 3-0 at Old Stadium in a Saturday early kick off match.
League newcomers Broncos and Fire United had mixed fortunes in the opening round of fixtures.
Broncos beat army side Moto Moto 2-0 while Fire received baptism of fire when they were hammered 3-1 by Amagagasi from Victoria Falls on Saturday.
Tafi Nengasha’s team Iwisa won 1-0 over stubborn Brazil while other championship hopefuls ZRP Hwange edged Classic Luyando 3-2 at Chinotimba Stadium.
Prison Eagles, always tough to beat at home, drew 2-2 with Blackrock in another entertaining match.
On Sunday Hwange’s Baobab Rovers downed Zambezi Lions 2-0 while Ingagula edged Madumabisa-based Kamandama Celtics 1-0 at Chakona Stadium.
Victoria Falls Tigers had the luxury of getting three points on a silver platter after walking over Rufaro Rovers on a 3-0 scoreline after the Hwange team failed to travel to the resort town on Sunday.
The provincial chairperson Denis Tshuma confirmed that Rufaro Rovers, one of the oldest teams in the concession area, will also be fined besides being docked three points.
“Rufaro Rovers were aware of the fixture but it’s unfortunate they didn’t travel to Victoria Falls. It’s a blemish to a season with exciting prospects and I hope they will put their house in order because if they miss the next game, they will be booted out of the league,” said Tshuma without saying whether it was an assembly resolution to take such drastic action or not.
Rufaro have been slapped with a fine of $150 for failing to fulfil the fixture. Things are not looking good for the team and it would be sad for football in Hwange if the club folds up due to financial challenges.
The club’s chairman Richard Sakala was not available for comment as his mobile was continuously unreachable.
Rufaro, once the most colourful club in Hwange, was once home to former Hwange FC players Philemon Nyathi, Johannes Kazambia and Kenneth Ngulube.
It was formed more than 40 years ago.
Bongani Ndlovu