Southern Region Div 1 takes a break

SOUTHERN Region Division One League teams will use the next two weeks to reflect on their first half performance and plan for the last stanza that begins on August 20.

Musa Mandaza, Zifa Southern Region chairman, said the second half of the season will start with the John Landa Nkomo Liquor Hub Super 8 Cup.

The top eight teams at the halfway mark will go into the hat for a draw to be conducted during the Zifa Southern Region mid-year general meeting on August 13.

Four Bulawayo teams, table toppers Bantu Rovers, Bulawayo Chiefs, Black Boots and ZRP Bulawayo will compete with the same number of clubs from Matabeleland North Province, which are in the top eight.

The clubs from Matabeleland North that booked places in the John Landa Nkomo Liquor Hub Super 8 Cup are Amagagasi, ZPC Hwange, Technosphere and Victoria Falls Tigers.

“We’re on a break and games resume on August 20. We want the second half of the season to be flawless and we will discuss at the meeting the issue of second half fixtures.

‘‘We don’t want to have matches postponed in the second half or have some teams on a bye just like what happened in the first half.

‘‘We will also let the clubs know about the John Landa Nkomo Liquor Hub Super 8 Cup dates,” said Mandaza.

The break comes at a good time for Bulawayo Chiefs, who fired their technical team led by Anzilom Ndlovu and includes assistant coach Nkosiyazi Ncube and Joseph Museve on the eve of the away game against ZRP Hwange last week.

Playing under the supervision of welfare manager Farai Sibanda, Chiefs beat the police outfit 3-0, with goals from Stanley Ngara and a brace by Proud Zireni.

Lovemore Sibanda, Chiefs director said he is not in hurry to appoint a substantive coach.

“I don’t want to rush into appointing a coach because I may make a wrong decision. I want to sober up first, cool down a little and then make the appointment.

‘‘I’m sure by the end of the week I would have identified a coach, who will understand my vision and will also have control over the team,” said Sibanda.

Some of the unattached gaffers that Chiefs might be considering include national Under-20 boys’ coach Mandla Mpofu, Dalubuhle Bhebhe, Tavaka Gumbo and Ronald Sibanda.

Mpofu, who is credited for assembling Rovers’ team that is at the top of the table, and Bhebhe, who once had a short stint with Chiefs as assistant to Thulani Sibanda last season, are among favourites for the top post. — @ZililoR