Vusumuzi Dube
Innocent Kurira, Sports Reporter
Arenal FC . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5
Ratanang FC . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 0
ARENAL FC were in a rampant mood as they slotted five past a hapless Ratanang FC at White City Stadium in Bulawayo to maintain their place at the top of the Southern Region Division One League table.
Brian Jaravaza scored a brace while Ricardo Sibanda, Leroy Ndlovu, Stanson Khanye provided a goal each in the demolition of Ratanang.
The victory took their points tally to 26 while ZPC Hwange in second place also picked up the crucial three points after recording a 2-0 victory over Main Line.
Third placed Talen Vision also managed to get a 1-0 victory over Ajax Hotspurs at the White City B-Arena. Their points tally now stand at 21.
Arenal coach Kudzayi Mhandire says he is happy his side is scoring goals.
“We needed to be patient.
We have scored seven goals in the last three games which is a positive. l prefer to have a team that creates chances and gets into dangerous positions, which is what these boys are doing.
They are getting the confidence in front of goal and l am impressed.
We are at the top right now, but this is a marathon and it’s still a long way to go to the end hence we are not getting carried away,” said Mhandire.
Arenel finished third last season, behind league winners Hwange and ZPC Hwange.
They also managed to book a place in the final of the Wafa Wafa knockout competition which they lost on penalties to Hwange.
The Bulawayo side won the provincial Independence Day Cup trophy in April after getting over Indlovu Iyanyathela.
They will face strong competition for pole position from the likes of Adachi and ZPC Hwange.
Adachi Football Club is coached by Philani “Beefy” Ncube and Higlanders goalkeepers’ trainer Peter “Oxo” Nkomo and ex-Warriors midfielder Johannes Ngodzo.
Besides working for Highlanders, a club that gave him fame, Nkomo has also had attachments with FC Platinum and Ngezi Platinum Stars.
Ngodzo, who led Bantu Rovers to the Premiership after winning the 2016 Southern Region title previously assisted Ncube at Bulawayo City.
Former Railstars and Njube Sundowns striker Sizalobuhle Dube is the club’s team manager.
They have experienced players in their ranks that include Welcome Ndiweni and Crispen Machisi.
Southern Region Soccer League Results
Saturday 17 June 2023
DRC United 1-0 Mountain Climbers
Arenel 5-0 Ratanang
Casmyn 1-0 Makhandeni Pirates
Binga Pirates 1-2 Adachi
Ajax Hotspurs 0-1 Talen Vision
CIWU 1-0 Jordan Sinnott
ZPC Hwange 2-0 Main Line
Bosso90 1-2 Indlovu Iyanyathela
Sunday 18 June 2023
Mosi Rovers 15:00 Zim Saints — @innocentskizoe
Bongani Ndlovu
Online Reporter