SIX matches remain in the Zifa Southern Region Division One League. Log leaders Bulawayo Chiefs take a trip tomorrow to Fairbridge for a date with Black Boots. FORTUNE MBELE SPORTS REPORTER
Black Boots were the first team that handed Chiefs the first defeat of the season when they seemed invincible and looked set for an easy promotion to next year’s Premier Soccer League (PSL).
Chiefs are on 53 points from 25 matches while Black Boots are chasing on 48 points and a win for the Rahman Gumbo-coached side away from home tomorrow would see promotion to top-flight football beckoning for the club that the former Warriors gaffer co-owns with businessman Lovemore Sibanda.
The win will take Chiefs to 56 points and they will need two more wins and a draw to be assured of PSL action next year.
But it was this year that Chiefs’ seven-match winning streak was brought a halt by the police side with a 2-0 win at Luveve Stadium in May when Thulani Sibanda, now at Bantu Rovers, was in charge.
Tinashe Dube and Leroy Ndlovu’s goals were responsible for that defeat in May and Thulani subsequently parted ways with Chiefs after he had been reassigned to the club’s juniors following a goalless draw with Ntabazinduna Prison.
Gumbo, also the club’s technical advisor, took over and to date Chiefs have lost five matches, drawn two and won 17 times.
Black Boots, aiming to be the second police side in the PSL after Black Mambas’ need a win against Chiefs to keep the race alive as victory will land them on 51 points, two behind the log leaders.
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The police side has been hard done by nine draws as they have won 13 matches and lost only twice in the league and tomorrow’s match is definitely the highlight of this year’s league programme.
Black Boots are coached by virtually unknown Kudzai Mutuda, but the club has put up a formidable show in the league this year.
Former PSL side Bantu Rovers slackened last week when they lost 1-2 to Mpumalanga to remain on 42 points and their luck will depend on how the top teams fare as they host ZPC Hwange at Luveve tomorrow.
New West City on 41 points will be away to Bulawayo Jumbos at Brady Barracks while Zimbabwe Saints will take on Tsholotsho FC at Luveve.
Technosphere are home to neighbours Rufaro Rovers in Hwange while Ntabazinduna also travel to the coal mining town for Hwange Juniors. Mkosana will entertain Mpumalanga in Victoria Falls.
