Tough going for Bantu Rovers

Ricky Zililo Senior Sports Reporter
FORMER Premiership side Bantu Rovers FC are finding the going tough in the first division after suffering a second straight defeat, losing 3-1 to championship favourites Black Boots on Saturday. Goals from Remington Masuku, Josphat Matanga and Stanley Ngala floored Bantu Rovers. The former Premiership side got their consolation goal — their first strike of the season — from Lenience Mpofu.

Despite being second from the bottom, Bantu Rovers’ coach Johannes Ngodzo remains confident that his charges will soon get it right.

His side released four players, goalkeeper Takunda Mutanga, defender Teenage Hadebe, midfielder Nqobizitha Masuku and striker Obidiah Tarumbwa to Highlanders at the beginning of the year and also loaned out Raphael Kutinyu to Chicken Inn.

“We’ve just been unfortunate and sometimes you need luck and an extra push to get what you want. I spoke to the boys and told them that these defeats are history, there’s nothing that we can do to turn back the clock but we can work hard and direct our energy towards our next game,” said Ngodzo.

“About the players that we released, yes they’re good but we’re certainly not missing their services. The guys that we recruited have filled the gaps well and are focused on having a great career at Bantu Rovers.”

Apart from losing points against Black Boots, Bantu Rovers have to fork out $50 fine to the Southern Region Soccer League for the red card shown to goalkeeper Eddie Maponga.

The fine is meant to instill discipline in players.

Another club that saw red during the weekend is Bekithemba “Super” Ndlovu’s army side – Indlovu Iyanyathela — who finished their 1-2 loss to Ntabazinduna with 10 men after Collin Tshuma was given his marching orders.

Indlovu Iyanyathela anchor the table with two defeats.

For Agent “Ajira” Sawu’s Ntabazinduna, it was another good outing as they collected maximum points in as many weeks.

Having scored a brace in their opening match against Nust, James Chivasa was on target for Ntabazinduna again with the other goal coming from his striking partner Nkosilathi Ncube. Linton Mathe got the face-saver for Indlovu Iyanyathela who just like Bantu Rovers are yet to pick a point.

A brace by Mkhululi Dube was all that Bulawayo Chiefs needed to maintain their top table position as they beat Hwange Juniors 2-0 at the Colliery.

Bulawayo Chiefs and the Zimbabwe Prison and Correctional Services side — Ntabazinduna — are the only teams yet to drop a point.

Pre-season favourites Bulawayo City held Makomo to a 0-0 draw in Hwange.

Results

Saturday: Indlovu Iyanyathela 1-2 Ntabazinduna, Casmyn 1-0 Mpumalanga, ZPC Hwange 0-0 Amagagasi, Makomo 0-0 Bulawayo City, Black Boots 3-1 Bantu Rovers, Hwange Juniors 0-2 Bulawayo Chiefs, Trumus 0-0 Technosphere, Nust v Old Nic Mine (not played).

Table

P W D L F A GD Pts

Bulawayo Chiefs 2 2 0 0 5 0 5 6

Ntabazinduna 2 2 0 0 5 1 4 6

Bulawayo City 2 1 1 0 3 0 3 4

Makomo 2 1 1 0 2 1 1 4

ZPC Hwange 2 1 1 0 1 0 1 4

Black Boots 1 1 0 0 3 1 2 3

Old Nic Mine 1 1 0 0 1 0 1 3

Casmyn 2 1 0 1 1 3 -2 3

Amagagasi 2 0 2 0 1 1 0 2

Trumus 2 0 2 0 1 1 0 2