ZPC Hwange inch closer to Premiership

Zimpapers Sports Hub

ZPC Hwange, perennial campaigners in the Zifa Southern Region Division One, are inching closer to securing a place in the Premiership after a hard-fought 1-0 win over Victoria Falls City.

With a points tally of 58, they need just 11 more points from their remaining eight matches to taste glory.

The team has been on a long and arduous journey, with many generations of players failing to achieve success. However, under the guidance of local Mebelo Njekwa as head coach, the tide has finally turned in their favour.

Njekwa, who grew up in the area and attended Wankie Secondary School, has managed to inspire the team to greatness.

Despite little football being played in the area at Ingagula save for PG and Nehanda FC who were in the Wankie Amateur Football Association Division Two.

Njekwa has managed to bring the best out of the players, and they look set to retain their Premiership football status. Their lead over second-placed Casmyn currently stands at 13 points, and it seems as though ZPC Hwange is well on their way to securing the title.

Growing up at Madumabisa and attending Wankie Secondary School, Njekwa used to marvel at the towers at the Ingagula Power Station and the clean suburb.

In an era where his suburb’s Raith Rovers, Zvamaireva Project and Giant Killers competed favourably with Brazil, Kabwe, Black Aces, Rufaro, Marathon and Zobhalikanazo, no one would have ever thought of him crossing the floor to coach ZPC Hwange, previously ESC and Zesa.

He is about to deliver to a suburb where probably Hwange’s Winston Mhango may be the only player born and bred in the coal mining town to emerge and play at that level.

History is in the making and Njekwa, who formed a formidable partnership with Venacio Ncube at Wankie Secondary School

and Hwange FC, is the man who may ensure Hwange retains Premiership football status as Chipangano is in danger.

Eddie Nkulungo a veteran Division One player made all the difference scoring the only goal in the win over Victoria Falls City that saw the log leaders maintain a 13 points’ lead over Casmyn who are second with 45 points.

Casmyn can only end the season on 69 points if they win all their matches. Their striker, Tatenda Ushe took over the top goal scorers’ chart when he scored his 14th goal of the season, leaving Justin Kaunda and Mbongeni Minezhi at 13 goals apiece.

Ushe was on target alongside Macdonald Furau when Casmyn beat Nkayi United 2-0.

The race for the golden boot has turned on the heat as Kaunda no longer enjoys the comfort he was on for the better part of the league race.

Results at a glance

Zim Saints FC 1-1 Bosso 90, ZPC Hwange 1-0 Vic Falls City FC, Casmyn 2-0 Nkayi United, Adachi FC 0-0 Indlovu Iyanyathela, Zebra Revolution 1-2 Mainline FC, Talen Vision FC 1-2 Jordan FC , DRC Utd 0-0 Bulawayo City FC, Mosi Rovers FC PP v PP Ajax Hotspurs(Chinotimba Postponed)

Top goalscorers

TATENDA USHE 14 (CASMYN FC), JUSTIN KAUNDA 13 (ZPC HWANGE FC), MBONGENI MINEZHI 13 (BULAWAYO CITY FC), TINOTENDA CHITETE 12 (NKAYI UNITED), KIETH CHIKAMI 8 (ZIM SAINTS FC), COURAGE SIBANDA 7 (ZPC HWANGE), PRINCE TINOTENDA CHITOVA 7 (NKAYI UNITED), MTHULISI THAMELA 6 (MAINLINE FC), WILFRED NZONDO 6 (CASMYN FC), SAWUSANI MDIMBA 6 (ZIM SAINTS FC)

Log

P W D L F A GD PTS

ZPC (H) 22 18 4 0 42 6 36 58

Casmyn 22 14 3 5 29 10 19 45

Adachi FC 22 10 6 6 19 15 4 36

NKAYI United 22 10 5 7 31 22 09 35

Zim Saints 22 8 10 4 27 23 4 34

Mainline 22 9 6 7 18 13 5 33

I/Iyanyathela 21 8 7 6 24 20 4 31

DRC United 21 8 5 8 16 17 -1 29

Z/ Revolution 21 8 4 9 34 31 3 28

Byo City 22 8 3 11 22 27 -5 27