D1 battle to avoid relegation gets tight

THE Southern Region Division One Soccer League is set for an exciting finish with teams at the bottom out to avoid relegation.

Teams at the danger of being axed from the First Division are debutants Chiwororo, last season’s title contenders Amagagasi, Black Boots, Mosi Rovers and Talen Vision. The league which started with 16 teams will end with 13 clubs as Technosphere and Motomoto withdrew at the early stages while Victoria Falls Tigers were last month booted out for failing to pay its affiliation fees.

Tumediso Mokoena Ndlovu, Zifa Southern Region board member said the number of teams to be relegated will be determined by that of clubs axed from the Castle Lager Premier Soccer League.

Topflight teams from the Southern Region that are facing the chop include Bantu Rovers whose fate will be sealed should they lose to Harare City tomorrow, Tsholotsho FC and Hwange.

“We are going to promote four teams from the Zifa Bulawayo and Matabeleland North Division Two Soccer Leagues. The number of teams from the Premier Soccer League we have to accommodate will determine the number of teams which will be relegated. This means that the final stretch of our First Division will be exciting,” said Ndlovu.

Chiwororo, on position 13 with 13 points from 20 games will need a miracle to survive. They face Premiership bound Bulawayo Chiefs at HQ One Brigade tomorrow afternoon.

Victoria Falls based Amagagasi who were among the title contenders in 2016 are on position 12 with 15 points and need to win their remaining six games and hope Black Boots and Mosi Rovers drop points along the way.

Amagagasi are at home to league debutants Zim Leopards tomorrow while Mosi Rovers are set to get three points on a platter as they were scheduled to face suspended Victoria Falls Tigers. Black Boots are on a bye.

Meanwhile, Makomo who lost 2-0 to Bulawayo Chiefs on Wednesday will be hoping to bounce back to winning ways when they play host to wounded ZRP Bulawayo who head to Hwange smarting from a 0-2 home defeat to Indlovu Iyanyathela.

On Sunday, Bosso 90 who are eyeing a top four finish will play host to Casmyn at Barbourfields Stadium.