No room for error in Div 1
BULAWAYO CHIEFS, Bantu Rovers and Amagagasi coaches have set the tone for a nail-biting end to the Southern Region Division One Soccer League by ruling out room for error in their respective weekend games.
Chiefs top the table with 60 points, two ahead of Rovers and Amagagasi.
Chiefs jumped to the top for the first time this season following a 1-0 win over fellow championship contenders Amagagasi last week courtesy of a headed goal by central defender Polite Moyo.
The table toppers have a tricky tie against Bosso90 at Hartsfield Ground tomorrow, with their eyes set on maximummum points.
Thulani ulani Sibanda, the Chiefs’ coach, said his charges are geared eared up for the encounter.
“We We can’t be complacent and we’re expecting a tight game against a youthful Bosso90. At this stage of the season,n, there’s no room for error and our boys know that. We’re really looking forward to a good game and we’re going to give our best as we fight for a positive result,t, in this case a win,” said Sibanda.
Withoutthout the injured duo of midfifielder midfielder Mengezi Dubee and striker Qinani Sibanda, Chiefs will bank on Moyo, Rainsome Pavari, Ashton Mhlanga, Desire Shumbanete,mbanete, Gracious Muleya, Sikhumbulani Dube, Kundishoradishora Chakanyuka, Joseph Mutambiranwa and Winstonton Chiwetu to garner maximum points against Bosso90. o90.
Bosso90sso90 will be looking at bouncing back from a 2-3 lossoss to Talen Vision.
Shouldould Chiefs beat Bosso90, while Rovers and Amagagasigagasi lose or draw their matches against ZPC Hwange and Indlovu Iyanyathela respectively, ctively, the table toppers will be crownedned champions with a game to spare,, as they would have reached an unassailablenassailable 63 points.
Rovers’ vers’ coach Johannes Ngodzodzo said they need to beat fourth-placed h-placed ZPC Hwange.
“We’ve We’ve got an important game against ZPC Hwange, which h we have to win at all costs. Our opponents are an experiencedrienced side, but I feel my youngsters have also proveded that they cannot be easily y walked over. What we needeed to do is avoid costlyy mistakes, win our game and see where we’re at the end of the day,” Ngodzo said.
Seasonedasoned utility player Zephaniah Ngodzo, Lindelani Ncube, national Under-20 striker Bukhosi Sibanda, Obrey Chirinda and Fortune Nkomazana should carry the day for Rovers.
Victoria Falls-based Amagagasi make a trip to Bulawayo for a date with unpredictable Indlovu Iyanyathela.
With the prospect of playing a championship decider against Rovers on the last day of the season in Victoria Falls, should Chiefs falter, Amagagasi are hard pressed for victory at Indlovu Iyanyathela.
“We’re not throwing in the towel and are going to fight to the last whistle. We’ve prepared in a way that we can get maximum points with the hope that the other title contenders slip. It’s not going to be easy and there is no room for errors in this game, meaning we have to go back home with maximum points, points,” said Zibonele Ncube, Amagagasi’s coach.
His side will depend on goalkeeper Wellington Muuya, Bekithemba Moyo, Mutsa Gwara, Arthur Musiiwa, former Njube Sundowns’ Innocent Ndlovu, Ryan Mabhena and Bright Dzowa to lead them against the army side. — @ZililoR