adminRicky Zililo Senior Sports Reporter
TSHOLOTSHO FC edged closer to the Zifa Southern Region Division One Soccer League title after collecting maximum points on the road against championship chasing Black Boots on Saturday.
The Tsholotsho Boys under the tutelage of Lizwe Sweswe grabbed a late winner through double scorer Edmore Chirambadare who rounded off his brace with a 90th minute strike.
Chirambadare had given Tsholotsho FC the lead in the 21st minute before Batinos Makwira equalised for the hosts four minutes later.
Tsholotsho FC and Black Boots are tied on 45 points with table toppers Technosphere who have a superior goal difference.
Sweswe believes that the championship is theirs to lose as they face Technosphere in their next league match at home.
“Top of the table clashes are always tough. I would like to believe that having such a tight championship race is interesting and playing title contenders has an advantage in the sense that you just have to eliminate them from the race. Instead of relying on others to do the job for you, it’s yourself who has to make sure that you put the game to bed by beating your opponents,” Sweswe said.
“We’re trying to maximise on home advantage against Technosphere even though we know that they’re going to come at us. They’re a good side and we just have to focus on our game.”
In a move meant to psyche up his charges, the ambitious gaffer said his training sessions are now less demanding and that has taken pressure off his charges.
Technosphere grabbed maximum points in Bulawayo where they beat Bekithemba “Super” Ndlovu coached Elephant FC 2-0 at Headquarters One Brigade on Saturday.
Plumtree Chiefs closed in on the leading trio as they were given a 3-0 walkover victory over ZPC Hwange who failed to turn up for their game at Raylton Sports Club.
“ZPC Hwange wrote asking to have their fixture against Plumtree Chiefs postponed citing unavailability of transport as their problem and we informed them that if they don’t fulfil the game they will lose points. Surely you can’t say you don’t have transport when you’re in the title race at a stage when the championship battle is hot,” said Zifa Southern Region board member responsible for fixtures Jabulani Chinyangarara.
ZPC Hwange who were championship dark horses were left trailing the leaders by nine points as Plumtree Chiefs (43) toppled Ntabazinduna from position four as the former was held to a 1-1 draw by New West.
Remaining Top 5 Zifa Southern Region Division One Soccer League Fixtures
Week 23: Tsholotsho FC v Technosphere, Portland Cement v Black Boots, Plumtree Chiefs v Ntabazinduna
Week 24: Tsholotsho FC v Portland Cement, Hwange Juniors v Technosphere, Mpumalanga v Black Boots, Plumtree Chiefs v Quelaton, Ntabazinduna v Trumus
Week 25: Tsholotsho FC v Hwange Juniors, New West v Technosphere, Black Boots v ZPC Hwange (game already played Black Boots won 1-0), Elephants v Plumtree Chiefs, Old Nic Mine v Ntabazinduna
Week 26: Mpumalanga v Tsholotsho FC, Technosphere v Plumtree Chiefs, Ntabazinduna v Black Boots
Results
Saturday: Black Boots 1-2 Tsholotsho, Elephant FC 0-2 Technosphere, Old Nic Mine 3-0 P/Cement, Quelaton 1-0 Hwange Juniors, Mpumalanga 1-3 Trumus, Ntabazinduna 1-1 New West, Plumtree Chiefs 3-0 ZPC Hwange
Londile Moyo
Bongani Ndlovu