Online Reporter
Lovemore Dube, Zimpapers Sports Hub
THE Zifa Southern Region race for the 2026 Castle Lager Premiership ticket started on a note that should see an exciting competition among the top five teams.
Clubs returned to action fired up after a two-week break that fell deep into the second transfer window of the year.
Clubs went into the market to bolster their teams with the hope of a better second stanza of the race.
Nkayi, who went into the breather with a seemingly decent three point lead over second-placed Bulawayo Chiefs, saw their chase lose momentum when being held to a 0-0 by Blackrock from Hwange.
With stakes high for the Dan Ndlovu coached Nkayi United, the city side found itself pinned to the wall as they settled for a share of the spoils.
The beneficiaries of the result were not Blackrock, but chasing Hwange and Bulawayo Chiefs who made good their aspirations with wins.
Chiefs who were three points behind at the end of the first 17 matches, were 1-0 winners taking their tally to 40 points, one behind Nkayi. Chiefs beat Zebra Revolution 1-0 to keep their title ambitions on track. It was a determined performance by Mkhokheli Dube’s lads who boast the worst defensive record with 33 goals scored against them.
Hwange did themselves a great favour by beating visiting Mainline 4-0 at the Colliery to cut the points lead to six.
Hwange are on third with 35 points and lived up to expectations playing in front of club legend Amos Rendo.
Bulawayo Warriors, still among the favourites, are well organised and have a decent squad and a good coach, Roger Ndlovu, kept their fourth position intact despite being held to a 1-1 draw by Victoria Falls Herentals.
Results
Hwange 4-0 Mainline, Nkayi United 0-0 Blackrock, Eagle Life 0-2 Jordan, Bulawayo Chiefs 1-0 Zebra Revolution, Bulawayo Warriors 1-1 Victoria Falls Herentals, Talen Vision 2-0 Imbizo, Bulawayo City 0-0 Megawatt, Nust 3-0 Ajax Hotspurs Movers, Bosso 90 0-1 Casmyn
Log
P W D L F A Pts
Nkayi United 18 12 5 1 27 8 41
Bulawayo Chiefs 18 12 4 2 28 6 40
Hwange 18 10 5 3 30 9 35
Byo Warriors 18 9 5 4 22 10 32
Talen Vision 18 8 5 5 22 10 29
Casmyn 18 9 2 7 19 14 29
Byo City 18 7 5 6 19 15 26
Blackrock 18 7 5 6 13 9 26
Megawatt 18 6 7 5 9 10 25
Mainline 18 7 4 7 20 27 25
Vic Falls Herentals 18 5 8 5 13 11 23
Bosso 90 18 6 4 6 14 19 22
Eagle Life 18 5 4 9 12 21 19
Zebra Revolution 18 6 1 11 18 33 19
Imbizo 18 4 5 9 10 21 17
Jordan 18 4 4 10 12 25 16
Nust 18 4 3 11 9 22 15
Ajax Hotspurs 18 2 2 14 6 33 8
