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Ricky Zililo, Senior Sports Reporter
UNBEATEN Southern Region Division One League sides Tsholotsho and Makomo collide in a top of the table clash at Luveve Stadium on Sunday.
The two sides are among the five sides that are yet to lose in the league alongside Talen Vision, ZPC Hwange and CIWU.
Former Premiership side Tsholotsho top the league table with 10 points from four outings and enjoy a two-point lead over Vision, who are tied on eight points with Makomo.
The Tsholotsho-Makomo clash will certainly be a test of character for both sides, as they know that losing points at this stage could dent their title ambitions.
Makomo, who beat Dete side NRZ Leopards 1-0 courtesy of a Morgan Mungombe goal, will be embarking on their first trip to Bulawayo, hoping to surprise Tsholotsho, who edged fellow former PSL side Hwange 1-0 a fortnight ago.
Tsholotsho coach Joseph Sibindi said: “The match against Makomo is as important as any game we’ve played or those that we will play. As a side, we strive to improve our performance in every game. What is key is to work on the defending and attacking principles, which are fundamentals of football. Look, we don’t have pressure at all and we will continue playing to compete. The boys are focused, they train hard and their mentality is good.”
Defenders Thando Ncube and Spar Dube, the only players that stayed at Tsholotsho after relegation, forwards Remmington Masuku, Tinashe Mthimkhulu, Michael Bhebhe and Obert Malajila, younger brother to national team striker Cuthbert, are the leading Tsholotsho players.
Makomo, coached by national team assistant coach Rahman Gumbo, will bank on the experience of goalkeeper Nonjabulo Dube and ex-Chicken Inn midfielders Makhosi Ncube and Amos Ncube.
Meanwhile, Vision will be hoping to get back to winning ways and keep their title hopes alive when they take on army side Indlovu Iyanyathela. Vision were held to a 1-1 draw by CIWU last weekend, while Indlovu Iyanyathela lost 0-1 at home to new boys NRZ Leopards.
Hwange will be out for maximum points against ZRP Bulawayo at Fairbridge, with championship contenders ZPC Hwange playing host to CIWU.
Fixtures
Tomorrow: Mosi Rovers v Main Line (Victoria Falls), ZRP Bulawayo Province v Hwange (Fairbridge), Moto Moto v Toronto (Mpumalanga), NRZ Leopards v Casmyn (Dete), Talen Vision v Indlovu Iyanyathela (Gifford, 12PM), ZPC Hwange v CIWU (Ingagula)
Sunday: Tsholotsho v Makomo (Luveve), Bosso 90 v Zim Leopards (Barbourfields Stadium, 12PM)
TABLE
P W D L F A GD Pts
Tsholotsho 4 3 1 0 5 1 4 10
Talen Vision 4 2 2 0 9 4 5 8
Makomo 4 2 2 0 5 2 3 8
Hwange 4 2 1 1 5 1 4 7
ZPC Hwange 4 1 3 0 2 1 1 6
Mosi Rovers 4 2 0 2 5 7 -2 6
CIWU 2 1 1 0 2 1 1 4
ZRP Bulawayo 3 1 1 1 2 2 0 4
Indlovu 3 1 1 1 2 2 0 4
NRZ Leopards 2 1 0 1 1 1 0 3
Moto Moto 3 1 0 2 1 2 -1 3
Main Line 3 1 0 2 2 5 -3 3
Casmyn 3 0 2 1 1 2 -1 2
Bosso 90 3 0 2 1 1 3 -2 2
Zim Leopards 4 0 1 3 3 7 -4 1
Toronto 4 0 1 3 0 6 -6 1
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