Thulani Sibanda
Sikhumbuzo Moyo Senior Sports Reporter
BULAWAYO Chiefs are involved in a tricky must-win tie against unpredictable Makomo in Hwange tomorrow afternoon as any other outcome will literally hand the title to rivals Bulawayo City. A Chiefs’ loss will leave City needing just a point from their last four matches to clinch the title and book a place in the topflight Premier Soccer League next year.
Mathematically, the local municipality outfit will be promoted into the elite league tomorrow if they win by three clear goals against police side Black Boots at Fairbridge.
Although Chiefs’ tactician Thulani Sibanda recently claimed that his side was now focusing on building a potential championship winning team for the 2016 season, they are still mathematically in the running for the title. With 49 points, Chiefs will get their total season points tally to 64 if they win all their remaining games, including tomorrow’s clash.
Sibanda would not want to remember his last visit to Hwange where they lost 0-1 to ZPC Hwange, while rivals City walloped Brian Njobvu’s Hwange Under-20 boys 3-0. Makomo player coach Tapela Ngwenya, nicknamed Cyclone by Highlanders’ supporters during his heydays with the ailing Bulawayo giants, has taken it upon himself to show the youngsters how it should be done in front of goal.
Ngwenya only registered himself during the second half of the season, probably after being frustrated that his players were not doing what he wanted them to do on the field of play.
His goal against Bantu Rovers two weeks ago condemned the Bulawayo boys to another away loss. He was on target again last week when they overran neighbours Mpumalanga 3-1.
Fixtures
ZPC Hwange v Ntabazinduna (Hwange), Black Boots v Bulawayo City (Fair Bridge), Casmyn v Technosphere (Turk Mine), Makomo v Bulawayo Chiefs (Old Hwange Stadium), Hwange U20 v Amagagasi (Colliery), Nust v Bantu Rovers (White City), Indlovu Iyanyathela v Mpumalanga (Brady Barracks), Trumus v Old Nic Mine, cancelled