Online Reporter
Lovemore Dube, Zimpapers Sports Hub
THE race for Premier League promotion in the Zifa Southern Region is heating up fast, with five clubs separated by just five points and every weekend delivering drama, goals and growing fan buzz.
“The competition is intense, with so many clubs in the promotion mix. The games are competitive and entertaining, which is good for football. There must never be outright favourites in a league,” said Zifa Southern Region League official Blessing Mbwanda.
He noted that fans are getting value for their money, and players are improving weekly, with scouts likely watching closely during the mid-season transfer window.
“That element of surprise is good for the spectators. It raises the standard of competition among the players, and I suppose everyone who follows the league is eager to see which Premiership teams will pounce on talent from the Zifa Southern Region League.
As administration, we are always happy to see our products going out there to shine in the Premiership,” he said.
Mbwanda also praised the discipline shown by clubs so far and tipped his hat to referees for their consistent officiating.
“We can’t turn a blind eye to two things. The clubs have upped their game, which is what we’ve always expected of our region, and the referees too have come to the party. We’re saying, let’s play fair up to the end of the race,” said Mbwanda.
With only one promotion spot up for grabs, the race is as tight as it gets, and this weekend’s fixtures could shuffle the top end of the table once again.
Log leaders Bulawayo Chiefs will host fellow contenders Hwange in what’s shaping up to be the match of the weekend. Both clubs were relegated from the Castle Lager Premier Soccer League last year, and now they’re locked in a battle to return.
Chiefs are owned by Lovemore Sibanda, a gold miner in Matabeleland, while Hwange are backed by the Hwange Colliery Company. Despite being company owned, both clubs face financial constraints compared to well funded Premiership teams, often limiting their squad depth and player welfare investment.
Saturday’s clash at Chiefs Village promises fireworks. The home side will rely on the experience of Malvin Mkolo and Kelvin Madzongwe, while Hwange will look to Marcellin Mlilo, Winston Mhango,
Dominic Chungwa and Kelly Shiyandindi to deliver.
Chiefs lead the table with 26 points from 12 matches (eight wins, two draws, two losses), while Hwange sit third with 23 points from the same number of games.
Second placed Nkayi United have been going about their business quietly but efficiently, staying within striking distance of top spot. They’ll face Bosso 90 this weekend in another critical encounter.
Bosso 90, currently fifth with 21 points, are building momentum after back to back wins over Hwange and Talen Vision. The youthful side is mounting a serious push for honours, and this clash against Nkayi is expected to test just how far they’ve come.
Nkayi sit on 25 points, just one behind Chiefs, and will be looking to maintain pressure at the top.
Newcomers Blackrock, sitting fourth with 23 points, have surprised many with their solid displays, especially at the back. Alongside Chiefs, they boast the league’s best defensive record, conceding only four goals so far.
They head to Bulawayo this weekend to take on 12th placed Imbizo at Lookout Masuku Barracks. It’s a game Blackrock are expected to win, but Imbizo can be unpredictable at home.
Full Weekend Fixtures:
Zebra Revolution v Bulawayo City FC (White City)
Bosso 90 v Nkayi United (White City)
Bulawayo Chiefs vs Hwange (Chiefs Village)
Megawatt v Vic Falls Herentals (Chakona)
Imbizo v Blackrock (Lookout Masuku Barracks)
Jordan v Mainline (Mthwakazi)
Ajax Hotspurs v Eagle Life (White City B Arena)
NUST v Bulawayo Warriors (Nust)
Casmyn v Talen Vision (Turk Mine)
Current League Table
P W D L F A Pts
Bulawayo Chiefs 12 8 2 2 22 4 26
Nkayi United 12 7 4 1 17 5 25
Hwange 12 7 2 3 20 7 23
Blackrock 12 7 2 3 11 4 23
Bosso 90 12 6 3 3 11 7 21
Bulawayo Warriors 12 6 2 4 13 8 20
Casmyn 12 6 1 5 13 10 19
Bulawayo City 12 5 4 3 14 10 19
Megawatt 12 5 3 4 6 7 18
Mainline 12 5 3 4 14 19 18
Vic Falls City 12 3 5 4 7 6 14
Talen Vision 12 3 4 5 11 9 13
Imbizo 12 3 4 5 9 14 13
Zebra Revolution 12 4 1 7 13 25 13
Eagle Life 12 3 3 6 7 14 12
Jordan Sinott 12 2 3 7 5 18 9
Ajax Hotspurs 12 2 2 8 5 17 8
NUST 12 1 2 9 2 16 5
