Tsholotsho head to PSL

Sport
TSHOLOTSHO FC could be well on their way to the Castle Lager Premier Soccer League today as their Southern region Division One League match against Portland Cement was cancelled after the latter pulled out.

TSHOLOTSHO FC could be well on their way to the Castle Lager Premier Soccer League today as their Southern region Division One League match against Portland Cement was cancelled after the latter pulled out.

THANDIWE MOYO SPORTS CORRESPONDENT

Matabeleland North-based Tsholotsho lead the standings with 48 points from 23 outings, neck-and-neck with Black Boots who have the same number of points after 24 outings.

Tsholotsho have been in the top-three for a while and coach Lizwe Sweswe said it was difficult to tell the outcome of the league.

“The season is still on and difficult to predict,” he said. “The race is still open, but if we lose the title we will have done ourselves a disservice. At the moment we are at an advantage and it would be good for the team to win the title.”

If Tsholotsho win they will be the second team from that region (and the first from Tsholotsho district) in the top-flight after Hwange.

“Most people think that teams that are promoted to the league should come from Bulawayo,” he said.

“It would be good for this district as we would be spreading the sport to other areas. If it means that we groom players from this area and not buy any that is what we will do. There is a lot of talent here and we need it to be exposed.”

Some of the players in the team include Butholezwe Ncube, Ayanda Ncube, Nkosilathi Moyo, Maclive Phiri, Kriess Chitiyo, Chung Marion, Ocean Moyo, Spha Dube and Edmore Chirambadare who is also the league’s top goal scorer with 13 goals.

Last week Tsholotsho beat contenders Technosphere 1-0 with Chirambadare getting the goal and pushing Victoria Falls-based Technosphere down to third place.

Their match against Black Boots ended with a 2-1 victory for Tsholotsho which leaves them in a good position.

Black Boots, who were meant to play Portland Cement last week, were awarded the points on a 3-0 scoreline and this afternoon they will be playing Mpumalanga in Hwange. Mpumalanga are 11th on the log and are hoping to stay in the league.

Zimbabwe Saints, Kabwe Warriors and Portland Cement have pulled out of the league and one team could be relegated with four promoted to make them 16.

Technosphere face Hwange Juniors in another match in Hwange while ZPC Hwange will take on Old Nic Mine in the coal mining town.

In Bulawayo, Plumtree Chiefs, the 2013 champions who sold their franchise to Bantu Rovers, play former Premier League side Quelaton at Raylton with New West taking on Elephants at the National University of Science and Technology while Ntabazinduna face Trumus at home.