Div 1 title race goes to wire
VICTORIA Falls-based Amagagasi’s Zifa Southern Region Division One League’s championship hopes went up in flames after losing 0-1 to Indlovu Iyanyathela, leaving log leaders Bulawayo Chiefs and Bantu Rovers battling for the title.
The loss left Amagagasi five points behind Chiefs, who laboured to a 2-1 win over Bosso 90 going into the last round of matches of the season.
Chiefs sit on 63 points, two points ahead of Rovers, who edged ZPC Hwange 1-0.
The weekend results mean Chiefs and Rovers will have to dig deep into their reserves for the final games of the season they will both play away from home.
For the last game, Chiefs make the short trip to Ntabazinduna, who lost 1-2 to Talen Vision, while Rovers have a tricky away game against Amagagasi in Victoria Falls.
Ntabazinduna are not safe from relegation and winning against Chiefs could save the Zimbabwe Prisons and Correctional Services bankrolled club from the chop, making it an all-to-play-for encounter.
Amagagasi, who gave a good title fight in their second season in the First Division, have also been hard to beat at home, and have only lost once, 0-1, to ZPC Hwange.
It remains to be seen if Rovers will become the second team to beat Amagagasi at Chinotimba Stadium.
Praising his boys for giving a good fight, Amagagasi chairman Sam Sibanda said they’re looking forward to ending the season on a high note.
“I think the problem we had was that most of our players have never been at such a level and couldn’t handle pressure. I feel proud of the boys; they showed great sportsmanship and fought right to the end. They are disappointed because they thought we were destined for the title.
“What they need is to manage emotions going into the last game and take this disappointment as a lesson. Hopefully, we will be able to keep the squad intact and make the most of our third season in the First Division,” Sibanda said.
Rovers’ coach Johannes Ngodzo will be hoping that his youthful outfit capitalises on Amagagasi’s championship heartbreak and seal their campaign with a victory, with the hope that Thulani Sibanda’s Chiefs lose or draw against Ntabazinduna.