Chronicle Editor
Onward Gangata in Gweru
KWEKWE United coach, Prince Matore has played down talk of his side being favourites to win the Zifa Central Region Division One League, saying it’s still wide open.
The Kwekwe side has been in impressive form, especially in the second half of the season and occupies the top spot with 52 points, five ahead of second-placed Tongogara.
Air Force of Zimbabwe side Chapungu are third on the table with 43 points.
Kwekwe United dispatched Bishopstone 2-0 at Muchato Stadium on Sunday but Matore is not getting carried away despite enjoying a healthy lead at the top.
The former Chicken Inn mentor sees former Premiership sides Tongogara and Chapungu as potential threats.
“We have three teams still in the race with us,” he told the Zimpapers Sports Hub.
“Tongogara and Chapungu are still in there, Sheasham also has a mathematical chance, so it’s anyone’s game, we can’t say we are favourites.
“Of course, we have played almost every team in the race except Chapungu, which puts us in a good position. Chapungu and Tongogara are yet to play each other, while Sheasham and Tongogara will also face each other,” he said.
While Kwekwe United appear to have a healthy lead at the top, the other contenders have games in hand, which could narrow the gap should they win them.
Tongogara have one game in hand while Chapungu have two but that is not causing Matore any headaches.
Instead, he is focused on keeping his charges motivated and prepared for a gruelling end to the title race.
“Our opponents have games in hand but that’s not an issue for us because they do not translate into points in hand.
“What matters is that we maintain our hunger for success for the remainder of the season,” he said.
In other matches played at the weekend, Piniel Gumbo’s solitary goal for Chapungu was enough to see off Blanket Mine in Gwanda.
Tongogara trounced Dulibadzimu 4-0 at the Battlefields grounds, while fourth-placed Sheasham dismissed Beitbridge FC 2-0 at Bata Stadium on Sunday.
Results at a glance
ZRP Gwanda 2-0 Black Eagles, Tongogara 4-0 Dulibadzimu United, Blanket Mine 0-1 Chapungu,
Shabanie Mine 0-0 Dinson Mvuma, Bishopstone 0-2 Kwekwe United, Sheasham 2-0 Beitbridge FC
FC Platinum U19 2-2 West Nicholson, Wangu Mazodze City 2-0 Gokwe North
Zifa Central Region Soccer League
Log standings
P W D L F A GD Pts
Kwekwe Utd 24 15 7 2 34 9 25 52
Tongogara 23 13 8 2 32 12 20 47
Chapungu 22 13 4 5 34 8 26 43
Sheasham 24 10 10 4 44 13 31 40
Dulibadzimu 24 10 9 5 29 18 11 39
ZRP Gwanda 24 8 13 3 22 13 9 37
Blanket Mine 22 9 7 6 24 13 11 34
W/Nicholson 23 9 7 8 27 24 3 34
Shabanie 23 9 5 9 26 32 -6 32
Dinson M. 24 6 13 5 20 20 0 31
FC Plat U19 23 9 4 10 27 28 -1 31
Mazodze City 24 6 9 11 18 21 -3 27
Beitbridge FC 24 5 8 11 18 32 -14 23
Bishopstone 23 5 5 13 20 43 -23 20
Gpkwe North 24 4 6 13 18 45 -27 18
MSU 24 4 6 15 18 44 -26 16
Black Eagles 22 2 3 17 8 44 -36 9
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