adminMzingaye Sibanda Sports Reporter
TSHOLOTSHO FC edged 10 man Quelaton 2-1 in a Zifa Southern Region Division One Soccer League match played at Tsholotsho Business Centre over the weekend as it continued its revival. Quelaton were reduced to 10 men in the first half after Trust Utsayi was given marching orders for arguing with referee Rachel Zhonga.
Edmore Chirambadura grabbed the lead for Tsholotsho in the first 30 minutes of the first half.
The visitors equalised in the 60th minute through an own goal by defender Spar Dube before Denford Muwangani sealed a win for the Zhuwane boys.
An elated winning coach who is proving to be a shrewd tactician, Lizwe Sweswe, praised his charges for the spirited show.
“It was a tough game, they gave us a challenge, but we handled them well as a team,” said Sweswe.
Sweswe remains modest on his team’s chances of gaining promotion and bringing Premiership football to rural Tsholotsho.
They are now five points behind stuttering log leaders Bulawayo Chiefs, 0-1 losers to ZPC (Hwange).
“Our aim is still the same, to finish in the top four, anything more will be a bonus, we want to maintain being the dark horses in this race,” he said.
Sweswe said they just want to do well this season and avoid burdening themselves with pressure of focusing on promotion.
“We want to win like everyone else, but we don’t want to put pressure on ourselves, we want to continue what we are doing and keep the momentum,” he said.
Tsholotsho secretary, Melody Ndlovu said they will keep on fighting and see where it gets them.
Quelaton coach Farai Tawachera blamed the referee for their defeat but said they will bounce back and fight for promotion.
“The referee was not up to scratch and she failed to handle the match.
“We want to bounce back to winning ways and keep focused as any top eight teams have a chance of winning the championship,” he said.
Pacesetters Bulawayo Chiefs seem to be losing steam following their shock defeat in Hwange.
They have benefited from second placed Black Boots’ failure to seize the opportunity every time they lose. Over the weekend the soldiers were held to a 2-2 draw by Technosphere.
In the Hwange derby, Mpumalanga overcame Rufaro Rovers 1-0 to take their points tally to 16 from 17 games.
Results: Tsholotsho 2,Quelaton 1; Bulawayo Chiefs 0, ZPC Hwange 1; Technosphere 2, Black Boots 2; Bulawayo Jumbos 0, Hwange Juniors 2; New West 0, Ntabazinduna 0; Mpumalanga 1, Rufaro Rovers 0; Zimbabwe Saints 2, Ajax Hotspurs 0; Mkhosana 0, Bantu Rovers 3.
Zifa Southern Region Division One
Log standings
P W D L F A Pts
Bulawayo Chiefs 17 12 1 4 25 9 37
Blackboots 17 8 8 1 27 12 32
Tsholotsho 17 9 5 3 21 12 32
Technosphere 17 8 0 5 22 15 28
Zim Saints 17 8 1 5 23 18 28
Quelaton 17 9 0 7 24 23 28
New West 17 8 1 6 22 19 27
Bantu Rovers 17 8 0 7 17 13 26
ZPC Hwange 17 6 2 5 24 16 24
Hwange Juniors 17 6 3 5 17 15 24
Mkhosana 17 6 2 9 14 26 20
Ajax 17 4 1 8 14 21 17
Mpumalanga 17 5 2 11 12 26 16
Ntabazinduna 17 3 1 8 8 13 15
Rufaro Rovers 17 3 1 11 9 24 12
Bulawayo Jumbos 17 3 1 11 10 27 12
Bongani Ndlovu
Online Reporter