adminRicky Zililo Senior Sports Reporter
THE championship battle in the Zifa Southern Region Division One Soccer League has reached its climax with the title chasing group involved in tricky assignments this weekend. It is a weekend where twists and turns are expected at the top with pacesetters Tsholotsho FC playing host to former champions Plumtree Chiefs in what should be the game of the week.
Tsholotsho FC are tied on 30 points with Technosphere after 15 games while Plumtree Chiefs trail by two points. A victory for Plumtree Chiefs will see them topple Tsholotsho FC but the Zhowane Boys will not go down without a fight.
Following their slender 0-1 away defeat to ZPC Hwange last week, Tsholotsho FC are a wounded lot and will no doubt want to return to winning ways with coach Lizwe Sweswe emphasising on the importance of collecting maximum points at home and grinding results away.
“The remaining games are more psychological and we will have to bounce back. The loss to ZPC Hwange pushes us to work harder so that we improve on our shortcomings. What is important is to pick ourselves up and go for maximum points. We have a good side that is ready to compete and hopefully we will be able to collect maximum points at home because it is by winning at home and doing smash and grab away that leads to success,” said Sweswe.
Ocean Mpofu, who scored the winning goal against New West City a fortnight ago, is among Sweswe’s trump cards. Captain William Steamer, cool as cucumber midfielder Butholezwe “Ncu” Ncube, arguably the best anchorman in the lower division, left back Nkosilathi Moyo and their leading goalscorer with four goals Edmore Chirambadare are some of the players expected to lead Tsholotsho against Plumtree Chiefs.
Plumtree Chiefs, who won the championship last season before merging with Bantu Rovers, just like Tsholotsho FC, have the championship within their reach.
Peter Manoti, who was appointed head coach after the departure of Thulani Sibanda, has won the two games he has been in charge, beating Hwange Juniors 4-0 at the Colliery and overcoming New West 2-1.Plumtree Chiefs spokesman Dumisani Mantula-Sibanda is confident of collecting maximum points in Tsholotsho.
“The language that everyone is talking at Plumtree Chiefs from the players to the executive is that the championship is within reach and we are capable of winning it. This is not to say we underestimate Tsholotsho FC but we are going there with the intention of collecting maximum points. It won’t be easy but we will fight all the way. If we are to realise the championship dream then we have to win our remaining games,” said Mantula-Sibanda.
Second placed Technosphere face fired up Black Boots at Unit Fairbridge on Sunday while Agent Sawu’s Ntabazinduna, who are on third position, will be home to ZPC Hwange who put Tsholotsho FC’s 14-game unbeaten run to a halt last weekend.
Fixtures
Saturday: Ntabazinduna v ZPC Hwange (Ntabazinduna Prison), Trumus v New West (Chinotimba), Mpumalanga United v Quelaton (Mpumalanga), Old Nic v Hwange Junios (Old Nic Mine), Elephant FC v Portland Cement (HQ One Brigade)
Sunday: Black Boots v Technosphere
Table
Team P W D L F A GD Pts
Tsholotsho FC 15 8 6 1 19 6 13 30
Technosphere 15 8 6 1 17 5 12 30
Ntabazinduna 15 8 5 2 18 8 10 29
Plumtree Chiefs 15 8 4 3 18 8 10 28
Black Boots 15 7 5 3 20 11 9 26
ZPC Hwange 16 7 5 4 13 7 6 26
Hwange Juniors 15 7 2 6 16 19 -3 23
Trumus 15 4 9 2 14 12 2 21
Mpumalanga 15 5 3 7 12 18 -6 18
New West 15 3 4 8 14 18 -4 13
Quelaton 13 2 5 6 7 15 -8 11
Elephant FC 15 1 6 8 5 14 -9 9
Portland Cement 14 1 5 8 1 14 -13 8
Old Nic Mine 15 1 3 11 8 30 -22 6
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