Zenzele secures promotion into Second Division

ZENZELE Tigers routed Thorngrove 4-0 in a Zifa Bulawayo Province Division Three League match on Sunday to secure promotion into the Second Division.

A brace by Nqobile Hlabangana and a goal apiece by Tinashe Mbula and Charles Phiri took Tigers’ points tally to an unassailable 30 points.

Zenzele Tigers and Saints academy are the only teams that have played all their games, while other teams will play their last matches this weekend.

Sabona Mzilikazi, who are on 24 points, will be battling for a second place finish with Las Palmas and BX1 Luveve, who are on 22 points.

Tigers coach Garion Nyathi attributed their success to discipline and focus.

“I am happy with the spirit our boys displayed from day one up to the last game. There is no secret to this achievement; it’s all hard work, focus and discipline.

“The season was tough and we know that playing in Division Two will be much tougher. We are going to beef up our team by getting other players so that we go there prepared for the challenge. It won’t be easy playing there, but we will try to survive,” Nyathi said.

Tigers will now wait for the Division One and Two leagues to end before they are officially promoted.

Tigers’ chairman Oscar Mazhambe said: “This has been a tough road (but) I am glad that we were the strongest team in the season.

‘‘I would also like to thank our coach for leading the boys and for sharing his experience from Botswana with us.”

Nyathi has been a coach in Botswana for 35 years where he coached teams like Orapa United, Bupedi Young Fighters and Motlakase Power Diamonds, whom he left in the Botswana top flight.

Meanwhile, Saints Academy’s 3-2 win over BX1 Luveve was of no help as they finished at the bottom of the table with eight points from 14 games.

Matopo succumbed to a 6-0 thumping against Las Palmas, while Sabona Mzilikazi beat Con Cob 2-0 at home. — @khumzallen.