Southern Division One league changes fixture

Ricky Zililo Senior Sports Reporter
THE SOUTHERN Region Division One Soccer League has rescheduled the Bulawayo Chiefs-ZRP Hwange clash to a later date, with the former now set to face ZRP Bulawayo on their return to action at Fairbridge this afternoon. Augustine Ndlovu, the Southern Region administrator said ZRP Hwange asked to be excused this weekend as they have players competing at the CID Southern Region Coordinator’s Gala which started yesterday and ends today at Milton High School in Bulawayo.

“After getting communication that ZRP Hwange have police games, we saw it proper to have Chiefs play ZRP Bulawayo instead of losing another weekend because they’ve been inactive for some time. Because of the backlog, they can’t miss out on weekends,” Ndlovu said.

Chiefs have been inactive for six weeks following a near fatal accident that left most of their players injured. They were involved in the road accident on May 13 when they were on their way to Victoria Falls for a date with Victoria Falls Tigers.

New Chiefs gaffer Anzilom Ndlovu who replaced Thulani Sibanda who has since joined Chicken Inn as assistant coach to Rahman Gumbo has no qualms about a rescheduled opponent.

“What we want is to play and we commend the league administrators for making sure that we’re in action this weekend. The boys are raring to go and we hope to get a positive result so that we get our confidence back,” said Anzilom, a former Highlanders defender.

He will be without strikers Qinani Sibanda and Thabani Moyo as well as Sikhumbulani Dube who are still nursing injuries.

Chiefs, fifth on the table with 13 points from five games, 12 points behind table toppers Amagagasi will pin their hopes on left-back Moses Majika, defender Trust Msindo, midfield duo of Mengezi Dube and Joseph Mutambiranwa, strikers Kundishora Chakanyuka and Ashton Mhlanga, as well as goalkeeper Kelvin Nyoni.

ZRP Bulawayo who are on position seven with 10 points from nine games and are coming from a 3-0 win over Indlovu Iyanyathela have what it takes to beat Chiefs.

The police force side have among experienced players to bank on for the Chiefs’ game former Highlanders striker Patrick “Mboma” Mpofu, defender Nyasha Chiweshe who is on loan from Zim Leopards, ex-Zimbabwe Saints, Caps United and Bantu Rovers utility player Kelvin “Skopo” Sibanda, striker Tafadzwa Maipe formerly with Bantu Rovers and ex-Tsholotsho FC gunman Ericko Phiri.

Leaders Amagagasi will be hoping to complete the first third of the season without losing a match when they take on Technosphere in Hwange.

Technosphere’s hopes to become the first team to hand Amagagasi their first loss of the season will be on Oscar Lungu, last season’s league joint top goal scorer Bekithemba Nyoni and Manyando Zulu.

Amagagasi will look to defender Bekithemba Moyo, anchorman Trevor Nkomo, attacking midfielders Musiiwa and Njabulo Malala as well as striker Nhlanhla Ndlovu.

Second placed Bantu Rovers who trail Amagagasi by a point will be keen to keep up with the pacesetters by collecting maximum points against Talen Vision at Raylton Sports Club.

Fixtures

Today: Bulawayo Chiefs v ZRP Bulawayo (Fairbridge, 12PM), Bosso 90 v Black Boots (White City), Ntabazinduna v Makomo (Ntabazinduna), Talen Vision v Bantu Rovers (Raylton, 12PM), Indlovu Iyanyathela v Casmyn (Brady Barracks), Victoria Falls Tigers v ZPC Hwange (Chinotimba), Technosphere v Amagagasi (Hwange)

Wednesday, June 22: Victoria Falls Tigers v ZRP Hwange (Chinotimba), Black Boots v Ntabazinduna (Fairbridge)

*All matches start at 3PM unless stated

Table

P W D L F A GD Pts

Amagagasi 9 8 1 0 18 2 16 25

Bantu Rovers 9 8 0 1 17 2 15 24

ZPC Hwange 11 6 5 0 11 3 8 23

Talen Vision 11 4 2 5 10 13 -3 14

Bulawayo Chiefs 5 4 1 0 10 3 7 13

Black Boots 9 3 2 4 11 9 2 11

ZRP Bulawayo 8 3 1 4 8 9 -1 10

Bosso90 9 3 1 5 11 14 -3 10