AS THE Zifa Southern Region Division One reaches the home stretch, log leaders Bulawayo Chiefs, who recently recalled coach Thulani Sibanda for their Premier Soccer League campaign, have a tricky assignment tomorrow when they entertain Zimbabwe Saints at Dingumuzi in Plumtree.
Five matches remain in the league which has turned into a two-team race with second-placed Black Boots facing basement side Rufaro Rovers away.
Chiefs have 53 points with Black Boots behind by just two points.
Black Boots coached by Kudzai Mutuda last week dented Chiefs’ title hopes with a 4-0 emphatic win in Fairbridge to close the gap to two points and that loss saw Chiefs reassigning Rahman Gumbo, the club’s technical advisor, to the academy and bringing back Sibanda who had been demoted to the academy in June.
Chiefs now need to make sure they win all their matches and land on an unassailable 68 points to be assured of a dance with top-flight football next year.
Any faltering at this juncture will give Black Boots a chance to sail through.
On paper, Black Boots have fared better than Chiefs as they have lost only two matches in 25 games and won 14 times, but their biggest disappointment has been playing nine draws.
On the other hand, Chiefs have lost six times, won 17 matches and drawn twice — and Gumbo lost five of the matches.
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However, anything could still happen in the league should third-placed Bantu Rovers on 45 points after beating ZPC Hwange 2-1 last week be able to reach 60 points.
If they win all their remaining matches, they will gain promotion. Bantu Rovers will take on Quelaton at Fairbridge tomorrow.
New West City on 41 points could reach a possible 57.
They host tricky Technosphere at the Portuguese Club.
The Hwange-based Technosphere could reach 55 points if they win all their remaining matches.
In other matches, Tsholotsho will entertain Ajax Hotspurs who look set for a return to Division Two after struggling in their maiden season in Division One.
Hwange Juniors will take on Mpumalanga while ZPC Hwange take on Mkosana in the coal mining town. Ntabazinduna Prison will play host to Bulawayo Jumbos.
