Online Reporter
Lovemore Dube, Zimpapers Sport Hub
NKAYI United have taken over the lead in the Zifa Southern Region Division One League after a 3-1 win over Melusi Sibanda’s hungry for success Bosso 90 at White City Stadium on Saturday afternoon.
Nkayi went into the weekend trailing Bulawayo Chiefs by a point and made the most of their strikers’ penchant for scoring with Tinotenda Chitete among last year’s top goalscorers, continuing with his fine form.
He was on target alongside James Chivasa another consistent performer in the league and Moreblessing Ernesto as they took the club’s points’ tally to 28 one more than previous leaders Bulawayo Chiefs.
Mthabisi Ncube scored the consolation goal for Bosso 90 who dropped one place to sixth.
Nkayi’s win has thrown the race wide open and created the uncertainty that ought to make coming fixtures exciting.
Bulawayo Chiefs and Hwange have been the bookmakers’ favourite to dominate the race up to the end.
Mandlenkosi Gasela a talented midfielder who has failed to reach his expected zenith heights after a promising career as a Highlanders junior and later at ZRP Ross Camp and Talen Vision, scored probably the league’s fastest goal, finding the target just after 35 seconds at Chiefs Village as Hwange and Chiefs drew 1-1.
Lewis Milanzi drew the teams level in the 35th minute as the two teams battled it out to a stalemate allowing Nkayi United to move to the top.
Hwange are third on the log with 24 points.
Former Zimbabwe international Mthulisi Maphosa’s youngsters put up a gallant show at Lookout Masuku Stadium where they lost 1-0 to Imbizo.
They remained on fourth position with 23 points while Imbizo are now 12th.
Zebra Revolution pulled a giant-killing stunt when they beat Bulawayo City who were touted as among the favourites at the beginning of the campaign.
Revolution who are coached by the founding director and former Zimbabwe international who played in the US Major League Soccer, Mkhokheli Dube, beat City 2-0.
In a Matabeleland North derby played at Chakona Stadium in Hwange, Megawatt FC were held to a 0-0 draw by Victoria Falls Herentals.
At Filabusi in a Matabeleland South showdown, Mainline hogged the bragging rights with a 2-1 win over Jordan Sinott in Filabusi.
Mainline come from Plumtree:
Talen Vision were 1-0 victors over Casmyn at Turk Mine in the battle of the gold miners.
Results
Zebra Revolution 2-0 Bulawayo City, Bosso 90 1-3 Nkayi United, Bulawayo Chiefs 1-1 Hwange, Megawatt 0-0 Victoria Falls Herentals, Imbizo 1-0 Blackrock, Jordan 1-2 Mainline, Jordan Sinott 1-2 Mainline, Casmyn 0-1 Talen Vision, Nust 0-0 Bulawayo Warriors
Playing today
Ajax Hotspurs v Eagle Life
Top Eight Log
P W D L F A Pts
Nkayi United 13 8 4 1 20 6 28
Bulawayo Chiefs13 8 3 2 23 5 27
Hwange 13 7 3 3 21 8 24
Blackrock 13 7 2 4 11 5 23
Byo Warriors 13 6 3 4 13 5 21
Bosso 90 13 6 3 4 12 10 21
Mainline 13 6 3 4 16 20 21
Bulawayo City 13 5 4 4 14 12 19
