adminRicky Zililo Senior Sports Reporter
HWANGE-based Southern Region Soccer League side Technosphere FC claimed the scalp of another title contender after beating Bulawayo Chiefs 2-0 at Raylton Sports Club on Saturday.
Technosphere were among the pre-season favourites, but had a difficult start losing their opening three games.
The Hwange side dismissed favourites Bulawayo Chiefs last week and their sparkling form has seen them going for seven games without conceding a goal.
Against Bulawayo City, Technosphere contained the municipal side by defending as a unit and catching them on the counter.
The visitors scored through Vumani Sibanda and Trust Nkomazana.
Despite shepherding his team through some steady progress to seventh on the Southern Region table on 15 points, seven behind leaders ZPC Hwange, Technosphere coach Try Ncube is still not content.
“Obviously it feels good to go for seven unbeaten matches and keeping seven clean sheets, but that’s not enough for us to survive the chop. I feel there’s still a lot of work to be done because we’re still not safe from relegation. The only thing that I’m happy about is that we’re beginning to convert the chances we create. Five goals in two matches against strong clubs Bulawayo City and Bulawayo Chiefs gives us reason to believe,” said Ncube.
Ncube said his game plan against Bulawayo Chiefs was simply to contain their speedy strikers and quickly close down their wingers to neutralise their power play.
“What’s key after such a positive run is to be consistent. Our next game is against Old Nic Mine, whom we won’t underrate, followed by Ntabazinduna. The relegation battle is on and if we lose once or twice, we will find ourselves back in the muddy waters and we don’t want that,” Ncube said.
Despite losing to Technosphere, Bulawayo Chiefs remained second on the table with 20 points. The former champions blew a chance to topple ZPC Hwange, who were held to a goalless draw by Nust.
Bulawayo Chiefs coach Thulani “Thuts” Sibanda, whose side finished the Technosphere encounter with 10 players after Mhleli Sibanda was sent off, is optimistic they will bounce back.
“I’m getting worried with our performances, especially at home, because we seem to be struggling. Getting two red cards inside three weeks isn’t good at all because it affects how we plan for future games. We might be down but we just have to pick ourselves up and emerge stronger,” Sibanda said.
Bulawayo Chiefs were without suspended winger Ishmael Wadi for their last two matches after he was sent off about a fortnight ago.
In other matches, Agent “Ajila” Sawu’s Ntabazinduna suffered a 0-1 home defeat to former Premiership side Bantu Rovers. Gladman Bharibhari scored for Tshintsha Guluva.
Bantu Rovers are now fourth with 18 points.
Old Nic Mine collected their first set of maximum points of the season courtesy of a walkover after Mpumalanga of Hwange failed to turn up. The club reportedly had a breakdown between Hwange and Dete on Saturday morning en route to Bulawayo.
Results
Saturday: Amagagasi 1-1 Black Boots, Bulawayo Chiefs 0-2 Technosphere, Nust 0-0 ZPC Hwange, Indlovu Iyanyathela 0-0 Trumus, Casmyn 2-1 Makomo, Old Nic Mine 3-0 Mpumalanga, Ntabazinduna 0-1 Bantu Rovers
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