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Ricky Zililo Senior Sports Reporter
A fierce city derby is on the cards tomorrow when top of the table teams Bulawayo City and Bulawayo Chiefs clash in a Southern Region Soccer League match at the Fairbridge grounds.
City sit at the top of the table with only goal difference separating them with second placed Chiefs and ZPC Hwange.
The three teams are all locked together on 26 points from 12 matches.
The Bulawayo rivals are aware that tomorrow ’s result could have a huge bearing on the title race as the winners would gain the advantage going into the second half of the season.
Being a top of the table and derby clash means top match officials have to be appointed for the game.
In the past, referees have hogged the limelight with some questionable calls that spoiled what were meant to be entertaining games.
Both City and Chiefs won their outings last weekend with City emerging as the biggest winners, thumping visiting Mpumalanga United 4-0. Chiefs displayed a workmanlike performance to edge Bantu Rovers 2-1.
Having lost assistant coach Maphias Webb in tragic circumstances a day after their resounding win, City have vowed to overcome their city rivals in honour of their late gaffer.
Webb collapsed and died after playing in a social soccer match in Mpopoma last Sunday and was buried among Bulawayo’s luminaries at Lady Stanley Cemetery on Wednesday.
Coach Philani “Beefy” Ncube said they were ready for Chiefs.
“Our training programme went well even though the boys were still shocked by the untimely death of Webb at the beginning of the week. They seem focused on the game and are ready for the fight,” said Ncube.
Former Highlanders chairman Ernest “Maphepha” Sibanda challenged City to win the championship in honour of Webb.
“It’ll be an emotional game for City and their players need to win, not only the Chiefs game, but the title in honour of Maphias. He left them at the top of the table and it’s just proper that they maintain that position for the remainder of the season,” Sibanda said.
The bereaved City players should, however, brace for a tough encounter as Chiefs are no pushovers.
Chiefs have managed to grab winning goals in the last minutes of their past two matches at Fairbridge against Black Boots and Rovers, and it is their good form at Fairbridge that could prove difficult for City.
Ex-Bosso juniors and Chiredzi FC dribbling wizard Trevor Ndlovu is enjoying a game of his life at City having scored two goals in the past two outings, and is expected to lead the municipal team’s assault on Chiefs’ goal with Makhosi Ncube and Qinani Sibanda.
City’s defensive midfielder Innocent “Joker” Kutsanzira, Gracious Mleya, Sikhumbulani Banda, centre back Tendai Ndlovu and Eddie Nkulungo will be facing their former paymasters.
Trevor will clinch the top goal scorer of the month award if he scores for City tomorrow.
Chiefs go into the game without suspended defender Brian Chikwenya, who received a straight red card for his sickening lunge that broke the leg of Rovers’ Bekithemba “Marabha” Ngwenya last Saturday.
Chiefs’ skipper Kundishora Chakanyuka will also be out through suspension after accumulating three yellow cards.
Either Mkhululi Dube or Ashton Mhlanga will be tasked with leading Chiefs’ attack.
Some Chiefs’ players that could cause problems for City include Mhleli Sibanda, Chicken Inn target Ishmael Wadi, former national Under-20 utility player Proud “Sjankala” Zireni, Lindelani “Vice” Ncube and Desire Nyokanhete.
Goalkeeper Wallace Magalani has also been in top form and kept his side in the title race with some amazing saves.
Chiefs’ coach, Thulani “Thuts” Sibanda said they are braced for a tough game.
“All the games in this league are tough and the one against City isn’t different. We’re ready for the challenge and we hope the best team will emerge victorious,” said Sibanda.
In other matches, third placed ZPC Hwange have a tricky home game against Black Boots while Technosphere host Mpumalanga.
Fixtures
Tomorrow: Technosphere v Mpumalanga (Hwange), Ntabazinduna v Old Nic Mine (Ntabazinduna), ZPC Hwange v Black Boots (Hwange), Hwange Junior v Casmyn (Hwange), Bulawayo Chiefs v Bulawayo City (Fairbridge), Indlovu Iyanyathela v Nust (Brady Barracks)
Sunday: Bantu Rovers v Amagagasi (Fairbridge), Makomo v Trumus (Hwange)
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