BULAWAYO Chiefs could be crowned Zifa Southern Region Division One League if they beat Bantu Rovers in Plumtree tomorrow and be promoted into the Castle Lager Premier Soccer League. SUKOLUHLE MTHETHWA SPORTS REPORTER
The Thulani Sibanda-coached side is on top of the log table with 59 points with three games to go before the season ends and in one of their remaining matches they are supposed to play Victoria Falls-based Mkosana, who owe Zifa in affiliation fees.
If Chiefs beat Tshintsha Guluva and are handed the three points from the Mkosana match, then they reach 65 points.
Black Boots who have put up a strong challenge are second with 55 points and if they win the three remaining matches, they will end the season on 64 points, ceding the title to Chiefs.
Bantu Rovers are third with 49 points.
Going into tomorrow’s match, Sibanda has an advantage in that he coached his opponents weeks back before he rejoined Bulawayo Chiefs, taking over from former Warriors coach Rahman Gumbo who was re-assigned to the club’s academy.
Sibanda now needs to make sure he wins all his three remaining matches in order to secure their position while Black Boots will be hoping that Bulawayo Chiefs falter.
“It is just like any normal game to me. We are on top of the log table with three matches to go, but I cannot talk about the championship now. I will talk after the Bantu Rovers game. The matches against Bantu Rovers and Hwange Juniors are tough because they played in Division One for a long time,” he said.
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Bantu Rovers coach Gift Lunga Snr said he was busy as they were playing a friendly match against FC Platinum in Zvishavane yesterday.
Black Boots are inactive this week as their match against Ntabazinduna Prison has been postponed. League secretary Sydney Madvzimbo confirmed the postponement of the match.
“Ntabazinduna have been invited to a football tournament in Botswana so their match against Black Boots has been postponed. The Tsholotsho and Mkosana match has been cancelled because Mkosana owe affiliation fees,” he said.
In other matches set for Hwange, Mpumalanga entertain Technosphere, ZPC Hwange lock horns with Bulawayo Jumbos while Rufaro Rovers meet Ajax Hotspurs tomorrow.
Quelaton face Hwange Under 20 at Fairbridge tomorrow, New West will battle against former premiership side Zimbabwe Saints at Portuguese tomorrow while ZPC Hwange return to action against Ajax Hotspurs in Hwange on Sunday.
