THE BULAWAYO Metropolitan Province football team won their first match in the 2013 Zimbabwe National Youth Games at Barbourfields (BF) Stadium yesterday and looked set to book a semi-final berth in the competition.
Fortune Mbele Sports Reporter
Bulawayo yesterday beat whipping boys Matabeleland North 2-1 and by close of afternoon they were on third spot with five points from three matches behind Harare who won their second match in Pool A. Harare have won two matches, had a draw and were due to play their last game against Bulawayo late yesterday, the major highlight of the day in the men’s football competition.
Harare beat the Midlands 1-0 yesterday and are on seven points from three matches and the Midlanders, who played their last game in the morning, were waiting for the Harare and Bulawayo match to decide their fate. Midlands were also on five points, neck-on-neck with Bulawayo, but were on top because of a superior goal difference. But a win or draw by the hosts Bulawayo will see the Midlands out of the tournament. Matabeleland South and Matabeleland North are already out of contention.
In Pool B, holders Mashonaland West have already secured a semi-final berth and are favourites to retain the title after beating Mashonaland West 1-0 yesterday at BF to end the group stages on 10 points. Mashonaland West won three matches and drew one and they did not lose a single match in the group stages. Mashonaland Central were still in the race for a semi-final berth with six points after having played three matches, won two and lost one and still had a match in hand. Manicaland beat strugglers Mashonaland East 2-0 and were also still in the race with two matches to go with Masvingo also having played two matches, lost one and a draw.
Mashonaland East had lost all of their three matches from day one on Monday. Two top teams from each pool will battle it out in the semi-finals today while the finals will be played tomorrow. Twitter feedback @fmbele
