Chronicle Editor
Lovemore Zigara in Gweru
TONGOGARA took top spot in the Zifa Central Soccer League after beating FC Platinum Under-19 2–0 as the battle for promotion intensifies.
Six teams have occupied pole position since the beginning of the season, making the campaign arguably the most competitive CSL ever.
Besides Tongogara, other teams that have at one time topped the league table include Whawha, Nichrut, ZPC Munyati, Ivan Hoe and MSU.
The army side took advantage of the abandoned match between Makusha and Whawha in Shurugwi.
The match was abandoned in the 88th minute soon after the hosts had taken a 1–0 lead following crowd trouble.
Tongogara are now on 52 points, a point clear of Whawha, whose game has now been referred to the disciplinary committee.
“We await reports from match officials as well as the police then the disciplinary committee will sit. At the moment I cannot comment further, but can confirm that the match (between Makusha and Whawha) was abandoned,” said CSL chairman Stanley Chapeta.
Elsewhere, Nichrut maintained the heat on the top teams without taking to the field after being awarded the game on a 3-0 score line following Kwekwe Stars’ no show.
The development sealed Kwekwe Stars’ fate in the CSL as they have been expelled from the league for failing to fulfil three consecutive fixtures, according to the league’s rules and regulations.
In what was the game of the week, ZPC Munyati got their revenge against Ivan Hoe by beating the Kwekwe-based outfit 1–0 in Munyati.
Alpha Shirichena’s 88th minute strike earned the power generators maximum points.
ZPC Munyati coach Isaac Nyabvure believes the win will rekindle his side’s challenge for the championship.
The power generators are eight points behind log leaders Tongogara.
Results
Telone 0–0 MSU, ZPC Munyati 1–0 Ivan Hoe, Black Eagle 1–2 Vumbachikwe, Tongogara 2–0 FC Platinum U19, Nichrut 3–0 Kwekwe Stars, Gwanda United 0–3 Chrome Stars, Blanket Mine 1–0 ZRP Gwanda, Border Strikers 0–3 Silo United, Makusha 1–0 Whawha (match abandoned after 88 minutes)
P W D L F A GD Pts
TONGOGARA 24 15 7 2 35 14 21 52
WHAWHA 23 15 6 2 35 9 26 51
NICHRUT 24 14 6 4 37 12 25 48
IVAN HOE MINE 24 13 5 6 31 15 16 44
ZPC MUNYATI 24 12 8 4 27 15 12 44
CHROME STARS 24 10 8 6 25 17 8 38
BLANKET MINE 24 8 10 6 17 15 2 34
VUMBACHIKWE 24 8 9 7 25 27 -2 33
FC PLATINUM U19 24 8 7 9 25 23 2 31
MSU 24 7 9 8 23 19 4 30
TELONE 24 7 9 8 20 22 -2 30
MAKUSHA 23 7 7 9 29 31 -2 28
BLACK EAGLES 24 6 9 9 18 22 -4 27
BORDER STRIKERS 24 8 5 11 15 27 -12 25
ZRP GWANDA 24 6 6 12 27 33 -6 24
SILO UNITED 24 3 9 12 18 34 -16 18
KWEKWE STARS 24 3 6 15 23 49 -26 11
GWANDA UNITED 24 0 4 20 4 50 -46 4
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