admin Ricky Zililo Senior Sports Reporter
THE ongoing ZRP Commissioner General’s Gala and the Zimbabwe National Youth Games have forced the Southern Region Division One Soccer League to postpone three matches that were scheduled for this weekend to Wednesday.
Augustine Ndlovu, the Zifa Southern Region administrator, said the rescheduled games are the ZRP Hwange versus ZRP Bulawayo, Hwange Under-20s clash with Bulawayo Chiefs and the Amagagasi and Black Boots tie.
“The police force sides ZRP Hwange, ZRP Bulawayo and Black Boots are competing at the Commissioner General’s Gala in Harare and for that reason we’ve had to postpone their fixtures. Hwange Under-20 have a bulk of their players representing Matabeleland North Province at the National Youth Games, which are underway in Chinhoyi.
We don’t want to have a fixture backlog like what happened in the first half (of the season) and that is why they will all play midweek games,” said Ndlovu.
The development means Bantu Rovers may stretch their lead over second-placed Amagagasi to seven points in the event that they beat Casmyn at Luveve Stadium tomorrow.
Rovers begin the second half of the season at the top of the table with 37 points and are bracing for tough games in the final stanza.
The table toppers beat Casmyn 1-0 in Turk Mine courtesy of a goal by Rovers’ captain and national Under-20 striker Bukhosi Sibanda. Johannes Ngodzo, Rovers’ coach, said they’re ready for the gold miners.
“We’re not thinking about the title, but winning the game ahead of us. Casmyn are a good side and we’re looking forward to a competitive outing. Being at the top of the table has its own pressure because every team wants to beat you and I think this is where we need to show character,” said Ngodzo.
Former national team defenders Zephaniah Ngodzo and Gilbert Banda, ex-Chiefs defender Lindelani Ncube and striker Lenience Mpofu are the players Rovers will be hoping to build on as they mount a challenge for a return to the Premiership.
They can also summon the prowess of youngsters Sibanda, Gladman Bharibhari, Lucky Ndlela and Denzel Khumalo. Fourth-placed ZPC Hwange will move a place up the ladder and dislodge Chiefs if they beat Makomo in a Hwange derby.
The two played to a 1-1 draw in the first leg, with Makomo getting their goal from Lovemore Dube, while ZPC Hwange’s strike came from Morgan Nyathi.
On Sunday, Victoria Falls Tigers welcome Ntabazinduna in Chinotimba.
Fixtures
Tomorrow: Bosso 90 v Technosphere (White City), Bantu Rovers v Casmyn (Luveve), Makomo v ZPC Hwange (Hwange), Indlovu Iyanyathela v Talen Vision (Brad Barracks)
Sunday: Victoria Falls Tigers v Ntabazinduna (Victoria Falls)
Wednesday, August 24: ZRP Hwange v ZRP Bulawayo (Hwange), Hwange Under-20 v Bulawayo Chiefs (Hwange), Amagagasi v Black Boots (Victoria Falls)
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