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Ricky Zililo Senior Sports Reporter
BANTU Rovers coach, Johannes Ngodzo, has challenged his players to brace for stiff games ahead, having earned themselves the “team to beat” tag after shooting to the top of the Southern Region Division One League table.
Rovers went tops on Sunday following a hard fought 2-0 win over fellow championship contenders Amagagasi. Fortune Nkomazana and skipper Bukhosi Sibanda were on target for Rovers.
Nkomazana, joint winner of the Nokel Security Southern Region Division One May top goal scorer accolade, tapped in a Jileni Nsingo cross from the left, while Sibanda scored directly from a corner kick.
Rovers are now on 31 points off 13 games and enjoy a one-point lead over second-placed Amagagasi, who have played one match more.
Rovers have an opportunity to open a four-point lead should they secure maximum points in their outstanding fixture against ZRP Hwange.
“I think what is important is to take each game as it comes and try pick as many points as possible. Football is a pressure game and being at the top puts more pressure because you suddenly become the team to beat. Everyone you play against ups their game and for that reason, my players also have to be mentally stronger and face each encounter like a final. Hopefully we will stand the heat and continue with our form,” Ngodzo said.
He declined to comment about their title hopes, but their recent signing of former national team and Highlanders captain Gilbert Banda signals their intention of gunning for the championship.
Banda, a central defender who can also play as a defensive midfielder, was an unused substitute against Amagagasi and his experience is expected to come in handy in the championship race.
While Amagagasi might be ruing surrendering top spot following the weekend defeat, Bulawayo Chiefs are now in the title matrix, fourth on the log with 27 points from 12 matches.
Chiefs trail Rovers by four points and edged Hwange Juniors 1-0 on Saturday, with goals from chief striker Kundishora Chakanyuka.
Matches leading to the halfway mark are likely to be interesting with competition expected to be stiffer in the second half of the season.
Rovers, Chiefs, Amagagasi and ZPC Hwange are likely to be the four teams that will battle it out for the title.
Meanwhile, Bosso 90 are likely to miss out on the Liquor Hub sponsored eight-team tournament despite beating Victoria Falls 2-0 at Barbourfields Stadium on Sunday.
Bosso 90, who are eighth with 16 points from 14 outings, are keeping their fingers crossed that teams below them Talen Vision, Ntabazinduna, Hwange Juniors and Casmyn lose their outstanding matches so that they remain on course to play in the mid-season tournament.
Talen Vision were held to a 1-1 draw by Indlovu Iyanyathela while ZRP Bulawayo Province lost 0-1 at home to Makomo.
Results
Saturday: Bulawayo Chiefs 1-0 Hwange Juniors, Talen Vision 1-1 Indlovu Iyanyathela, ZRP Bulawayo Province 0-1 Makomo
Sunday: Bantu Rovers 2-0 Amagagasi, Bosso 90 2-0 Victoria Falls Tigers
Fixtures
Tomorrow: Casmyn v Bulawayo Chiefs (Turk Mine), Technosphere v Bosso 90 (Hwange)
Thursday: ZRP Hwange v Makomo (Hwange)
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