5 Div 1 teams battle for 3 John Landa Cup slots
THE Southern Region Division One Soccer League is set for an exciting finish with five clubs set to battle it out for three slots that will earn them an opportunity to play in the John Landa Nkomo Memorial Cup.
Champions Bulawayo Chiefs are the only club that has secured its John Landa Nkomo Cup slot, leaving ZPC Hwange, Bosso 90, Zim Leopards, Makomo and Casmyn competing for the three places.
The competition, sponsored by businessman Raj Modi, is one of two knockout tournaments the Southern Region Division One League has retained.
The region also retained the Trukumb Mining Enterprises sponsored Joshua Mqabuko Nkomo Top 8 Cup.
Both tournaments are meant to celebrate the two late Vice-Presidents.
Zifa Southern Region chairman Musa Mandaza said changes have been made to the tournaments’ formats, with only the top four battling it out in the $5 000 John Landa Nkomo Cup.
The Joshua Nkomo Trukumb tournament will now be an invitational tournament.
“We’ve signed contracts with both sponsors and should be launching one of the competitions this week, with the other set for next week on Tuesday. We’re grateful to the sponsors and there are a few changes that will be announced when we launch the competitions. For example, the tournament sponsored by Raj Modi through his Liquor Hub investment will now be for top-four teams and the Trukumb competition is now an invitational event. We will explain the details when we launch the tournaments,” said Mandaza.
John Landa Nkomo Cup defending champions and second-placed ZPC Hwange need three points from three games to earn the right to defend their title. ZPC Hwange are on 43 points with three games left before the season ends.
Third-placed Bosso 90 took their points tally to 39 at the weekend after beating Mosi Rovers 2-1 in Bulawayo courtesy of strikes by Mandlenkosi Mnkandla and Brian Jaravaza. Bosso 90 have played a game more than fourth-placed Zim Leopards.
Hwange-based Makomo need to win their games if they are to storm into the semi-final. Makomo drew 1-1 with Casmyn, who have an outside chance of sneaking into the top four. Casmyn are on 33 points after 23 games.