adminRicky Zililo Senior Sports Reporter
AGENT “Ajira” Sawu’s Ntabazinduna Prison have opened a six-point lead at the top of the Zifa Southern Region Division One Soccer League table following their slender 1-0 victory against Hwange Juniors at the weekend. James Chivasa’s 85th minute goal was enough for the correctional services club to grab maximum points as trailing teams Plumtree Chiefs and Tsholotsho were held to draws by their opponents.
The former Warriors striker Sawu decided to start his coaching career at grassroots and he seems to be doing well as Ntabazinduna Prison who he joined mid season last year are on the right track.
Ntabazinduna Prison have amassed 24 points from 11 matches with second placed Plumtree Chiefs tied on 18 points with ZPC Hwange having played two games less. Sawu is keeping his cool and claims he is still building his team.
“We are not thinking about promotion at all. What we want is for the guys to enjoy playing soccer and talking about the championship will put the guys under unnecessary pressure. We are taking each game as it comes and I think the best time to talk about the championship is when you have played at least 80 percent of your games.
“Otherwise I am happy with the progress that the team is making as it shows that the work we are putting is paying off. We are still building a team and maybe in the second half of the season we might be having a formidable side,” Sawu said.
The second top goal scorer in the league with five goals Fidelis Dube is from Ntabazinduna Prison and seems to be taking a leaf from Sawu himself a former goal poacher.
Plumtree Chiefs began life without coach Thulani “Thuts” Sibanda who has since taken over the reigns at former Premiership club Black Mambas who are in the Zifa Northern Region Division One Soccer League with a 2-2 draw against Black Boots.
Ex-Quelaton striker Kundishora Chakanyuka scored twice spoiling the day for Black Boots who had found the opener in the 23rd minute courtesy of a Simon Njeleza strike and got their other goal from Stanley Ngala. Sibanda started his work with a 2-0 win over Chegutu Pirates in Harare.
Tsholotsho coached by Lizwe Sweswe maintained their unbeaten run, holding ambitious Technosphere to a goalless draw.
Results
Saturday: ZPC Hwange 3-0 Mpumalanga, Technosphere 0-0 Tsholotsho, Ntabazinduna 1-0 Hwange Juniors, Elephant FC 0-0 Trumus, Black Boots 2-2 Plumtree Chiefs
Online Reporter