Ricky Zililo Senior Sports Reporter
SOUTHERN Region Soccer League championship favourites Bulawayo City stretched their lead to six points on Sunday following their 2-0 win over Nust while rivals Bulawayo Chiefs played to a 1-1 stalemate against Black Boots. Second half goals by Qinani “Chroma” Sibanda and Trevor Ndlovu ensured City returned to winning ways following last weekend’s shock 0-1 home defeat to Technosphere that ended their 12-match unbeaten run.
City did not take the defeat to Technosphere lightly as they lodged a complaint with Zifa alleging poor officiating by Mlindeli Ndebele for awarding the Hwange side a penalty. City chairman Jerry Sibanda said the complaint was meant to highlight their displeasure at poor officiating that spoiled competition.
“People say we’re favourites to win the title but we believe that a lot can change within the remaining seven games. It’s still a long way and the race is very much wide open,” said Sibanda. He said his club was happy that the players behaved well following the unfortunate defeat that came through as a result of some questionable officiating.
“The season is at a delicate stage and what’s required of match officials is to apply rules as they are and let football be the winner,” he said. City need only 16 points from a possible 21 to reach an unassailable 68 points to make history by earning a Premier Soccer League ticket in their first attempt.
Powered by players with PSL experience, who include ex-Bosso captain Innocent Mapuranga, Xolisani “Scara” Moyo, Sibanda, Ndlovu, Welcome Ndiweni, Bruce Tshuma, Eddie Nkulungo, Simba Sithole and goalkeeper Ndodana Sibanda, the municipal side look difficult to stop.
They, however, remain cautious of closest rivals Chiefs, who despite declaring their championship season over, are mathematically still in the race. Chiefs went into the weekend trailing City by four points, but found themselves six points behind the table toppers after being held to a 1-1 draw by Black Boots.
Ramson Pavari scored for Chiefs and Tendai Zaza replied for Black Boots. Meanwhile, the battle for the top-four finish continued with ZPC Hwange whipping Mpumalanga 5-0 in the coal mining town derby to equal Bantu Rovers on 40 points.
Rovers narrowly edged Victoria Falls side Trumus 2-1 through goals by Emmanuel Dube and Talent Twala. Trumus scored through Munyaradzi Muchenje. Try Ncube’s Technosphere proved that their 1-0 win over City was no fluke by ending Indlovu Iyanyathela’s six-match unbeaten run with a 2-0 win courtesy of a Manyando Zulu brace.
Results
Saturday: Technosphere 2-0 Indlovu Iyanyathela, Amagagasi 0-1 Makomo, Ntabazinduna 1-1 Hwange Juniors, Bantu Rovers 2-1 Trumus, Old Nic Mine 3-0 Casmyn
Sunday: Bulawayo City 2-0 Nust, Bulawayo Chiefs 1-1 Black Boots, Mpumalanga 0-5 ZPC Hwange
P W D L F A GD Pts
Bulawayo City 23 16 4 3 30 5 25 52
Bulawayo Chiefs 23 13 7 3 35 10 25 46
Bantu Rovers** 23 12 4 7 28 14 14 40
ZPC Hwange 23 10 10 3 23 10 13 40
Casmyn 23 11 6 6 25 19 6 39
Technosphere 23 11 7 5 26 12 14 37
Makomo 23 10 6 7 20 17 3 36
Indlovu Iyanyathela 23 9 6 8 17 17 0 33
Black Boots 23 6 12 5 21 18 3 30
Amagagasi 23 7 8 8 18 20 -2 29
Ntabazinduna 22 7 7 8 20 18 2 28
Trumus Warriors 23 3 10 10 11 19 -8 19
Nust 23 3 10 10 13 24 -11 19
Hwange Juniors 23 4 7 12 14 27 -13 19
Old Nic Mine 23 1 6 16 7 46 -39 9
Mpumalanga 22 2 3 17 7 40 -33 9
**Points deducted for using a suspended player.