ZPC Hwange find Indlovu Iyanyathela too strong

ZPC Hwange’s title aspirations suffered a blow as they dropped points on the road when they drew 1-1 with Indlovu Iyanyathela at Bulawayo’s HQ One Brigade on Saturday.

The result left ZPC Hwange 12 points behind leaders Bulawayo Chiefs who are on 37 points.

Chiefs were inactive at the weekend and the result gives the Southern Region Division One Soccer League leaders an advantage going into the last half of the season.

ZPC Hwange could have closed the gap to 10 points, keeping their faint title hopes alive.

The electricity generators will need other teams to stop Chiefs if they are to spring a shocker and beat the leaders to the title.

Chiefs had a terrific first half, being the only side that reached the halfway mark unbeaten. The worst result that Chiefs recorded was a 0-0 away draw against Makomo. They have won 12 out of the 13 matches.

Chiefs gaffer Thulani Sibanda, who won the championships with Quelaton in 2011 and Plumtree Chiefs in 2013 said the second half of the season will be about grinding results.

“Our intentions have always been clear that we’re gunning for the title. Last year we missed the championship on the last day of the season and we don’t want to repeat that mistake. Right now the race is for us to lose because we’re in firm control. What is important for us is to make sure that we maintain the same attitude we had in the first half of the season, treat each game like a final and grind results. It won’t be easy but if we remain focused we can win the title with games to spare,” said Sibanda.

He thinks that ZPC Hwange, Makomo and Zim Leopards are teams to watch in the second half.

“Our league is unpredictable. Every team is capable of causing an upset that is why I’m stressing to my players that we can’t afford complacency. I think we’re set for an interesting second half and teams like ZPC Hwange, Makomo, Zim Leopards and Bosso 90 are some of the teams to look at,” Sibanda said.

Bosso 90 blew a chance to move to second position from third as they lost 2-1 away to Victoria Falls Tigers.

The Highlanders’ development side have 23 points from 13 outings.

The biggest weekend movers were Zim Leopards who made a giant stride settling on position five from eighth following their 2-1 win against ZRP Bulawayo.

Meanwhile, last season’s championship contenders Amagagasi continue to find the going tough as they now anchor the table following a 1-1 away draw with Makomo.

Amagagasi who finished the 2016 season on position three behind champions Bantu Rovers and Chiefs have nine points from 14 games.

Amagagasi exchanged places with Victoria Falls Tigers who beat Bosso 90 2-1 to move from the bottom of the table to number 13.