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Gerald Sibanda, [email protected]
THE latest edition of the Southern Region Division One Soccer League has seen the emergence of many talented players who have shone for their teams so far.
Log leaders Arenel Movers who are yet to taste defeat have not only played mouthwatering football, but have also presented the league with some of the most talented young stars in Bulawayo with Chilumbiya Mnkuli (21), Leroy Ndlovu (22) and Reason Sibanda (23) having being one of the players to watch.
Kudzi Manhire’s side which is blended with youngsters and experience, has also rejuvenated careers of former top players such as Simon Munawa who was once a darling of Bulawayo giants Highlanders FC supporters and Aaron Ngwenya a former Bulawayo City goalkeeper who is arguably the league’s best goalkeeper at the moment.
It would be difficult to choose who has been the team’s best player between vice-captain Brian Jaravaza and recently departed Ricaldo Sibanda.
Because of his stellar performances, Sibanda was signed by Premiership outfit GreenFuel FC after playing at Arenel for only the first half of the season.
ZPC Hwange have also had their own players who have played well for the second placed team. They recently lost attacker Obert Malajila to Premiership side Chicken Inn and he was arguably the team’s best player.
Fourth placed CIWU can be said to be the surprise package so far.
One might have tipped them to be one of the relegation candidates as they were last season but they have defied the odds, managing to grind results in some matches.
Their latest result was a 1-0 victory against an experienced Adachi side away from home.
The young Bosso90 side are happy with their start to the season compared to their performance last year. They sit on 10th place, last year at this point they were battling relegation.
One of Highlanders developmental side’s finest performers have been Curtis Mangurenje (21), who is also the team’s leading scorer with four goals, Simbarashe Madzivire (21), Mayibongwe Ndlovu (18) and defender Nigel Ncube (23), who was promoted to the first team last year.
The league has not been short of goals also, 375 goals have been scored by all the teams in total and the sharpest shooters have been Mosi Rovers’ Ryan Ncube who has six goals tied with Mountain Climbers attacker Lameck Mafu.
The league will continue after the break which was necessitated by the upcoming national elections and many teams will hope to improve going to the second half of the season.
Week 19 Fixtures:
Binga Pirates vs Talen Vision, DRC United vs Zimbabwe Saints, Mosi Rovers vs Ratanang, Ajax Hotspurs vs Makhandeni Pirates, CIWU vs Indlovu Iyanyathela, ZPC Hwange vs Bosso90, Casmyn vs Jordan Sinnot, Mainline vs Adachi, Mountain Climbers vs Arenel Movers
Online Reporter