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Ricky Zililo Senior Sports Reporter
ZIFA Southern Region Division One League leaders Amagagasi are wary of third-placed ZPC Hwange in tomorrow’s away match, with coach Zibonele Ncube demanding maximum concentration from his troops.

Amagagasi dislodged Bantu Rovers on Wednesday following a narrow 1-0 win over Indlovu Iyanyathela in Victoria Falls. They have amassed 29 points from 11 matches and are two points ahead of Rovers.

“Indlovu Iyanyathela gave us a good contest and I think my boys fought hard to force our opponents to score an own goal. What we have to do is take the same fighting spirit to Hwange because ZPC have always given us problems. We respect them and have to be cautious in our approach,” said Ncube.

The table toppers will be without the league’s top marksman Nhlanhla Ndlovu, who played his last game against Indlovu Iyanyathela before moving to his new paymasters Highlanders. Ndlovu had scored eight goals from 11 outings.

Amagagasi will bank on Lungile Nyathi, winner of the Nokel Security Southern Region Soccer League April Top Goal Scorer accolade, Dynamos trialist Mutsa Gwara and Mediator Mabhena to lead their strike force against ZPC Hwange.

ZPC Hwange are perennial championship contenders and are expected to give Amagagasi a good run for their money playing at home.

The powermen are third on the table with 23 points from 12 games and will be hoping to hand Amagagasi their first defeat of the season and also reduce the points’ deficit.

Second-placed Bantu Rovers will be hoping to bounce back to winning ways when they host ZRP Hwange at White City Stadium. Rovers suffered a 0-1 loss to Bulawayo Chiefs last weekend and know that to remain in contention for the title, they have to beat the police side.

Chiefs, who played a 1-1 draw in a mid-week encounter against Bosso 90 at White City, will be away to Victoria Falls Tigers.

League anchors Makomo will play host to fourth-placed Black Boots in Hwange.

Fixtures

Tomorrow: Hwange Juniors v Indlovu Iyanyathela ( Hwange), Casmyn v ZRP Bulawayo Province (Turk Mine), Ntabazinduna v Bosso 90 (Ntabazinduna), ZPC Hwange v Amagagasi (Hwange), Bantu Rovers v ZRP Hwange (White City), Makomo v Black Boots ( Hwange), Victoria Falls Tigers v Bulawayo Chiefs (Victoria Falls)

Wednesday, July 6: Hwange Juniors v Ntabazinduna (Hwange), ZRP Bulawayo Province v Makomo (Fairbridge)

Table

P W D L F A GD Pts

Amagagasi 11 9 2 0 20 3 17 29

Bantu Rovers 11 9 0 2 19 3 16 27

ZPC Hwange 12 6 5 1 11 5 6 23

Black Boots 12 5 3 4 17 10 7 18

Bulawayo Chiefs 8 5 2 1 12 6 6 17

ZRP Bulawayo 11 5 1 5 12 11 1 16

Talen Vision 13 4 2 7 11 17 -6 14

Victoria Falls Tigers 9 4 1 4 10 11 -1 13

Ntabazinduna 10 3 4 3 6 10 -4 13

Hwange Juniors 11 3 3 4 5 9 -4 13

Bosso90 11 3 2 6 12 17 -5 11

Casmyn 11 2 4 5 10 12 -2 10

Technosphere 10 2 4 4 3 9 -6 10

Indlovu Iyanyathela 12 3 1 8 6 18 -12 10

ZRP Hwange 11 2 3 6 10 16 -6 9

Makomo 11 2 2 7 5 11 -6 8