The 2025 Zifa Southern Region Soccer League is set for one of the fiercest finishes, with three teams standing a chance of winning the sole ticket to the premier league.
Last Saturday afternoon, the battle royale between the top two teams, Bulawayo Chiefs and Nkayi United, finished in a 1-1 stalemate, bringing third-placed Hwange back into the picture.
All three teams are separated by five points.
A good crowd witnessed the exciting match between Chiefs and Nkayi, dubbed the title decider at White City Stadium, which was value for money for the spectators who thronged the venue.
After a cagey start, Chiefs surged ahead courtesy of a Lewis Milanzi strike, who benefited from hesitant defending from Nkayi's defence to slot home past a stranded Delron Chuma.
Nkayi appeared down and out after conceding, but regrouped towards halftime.
After a lovely interchange of passes, the ball landed at the feet of Gift Gumpo, who fired a thunderous left footer that beat Mattriples Muleya.
In the second half, Daniel Ndlovu's Nkayi dominated the exchanges but failed to breach the Chiefs' defence, with the two teams settling for a draw.
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Chiefs maintained their three-point lead at the top, taking their tally to 58 points from 26 matches.
Nkayi moved to 55 points, while Hwange are on 53 points.
Chipangano got a walkover from Eagle Life, who failed to travel to Hwange, and won the match 3-0.
Chiefs coach, John Nyikadzino, felt the point against Nkayi was crucial for their title hopes, as they maintained their lead at the top.
“Obviously, I am happy with the result,” Nyikadzino said in a post-match interview.
“We are still three points ahead of Nkayi
“Although we wanted a win, we failed to get that, but we took the point anyway.”
With eight matches to go and 24 points to play for, the race is wide open, although Chiefs hold a slight advantage, leading the pack and having cleared both Nkayi and Hwange out of their way.
Nkayi and Hwange are set to clash in Bulawayo in another match that will play a key role in determining who will walk away as the Southern Region Soccer League champions.
