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Ricky Zililo, Senior Sports Reporter
HWANGE-based Makomo FC became the first team to stop Bulawayo Chiefs’ winning streak by holding the Southern Region Division One League leaders to a goalless draw at the weekend.

Chiefs went into the game hoping to make it seven wins in a row, but found the coal miners resolute and had to settle for a point.

League leaders Chiefs, who finished the game with 10 men after attacking midfielder Authur Musiiwa received a red card in the 20th minute, maintained a five-point lead over second-placed ZRP Bulawayo, who played a 1-1 stalemate against army side Indlovu Iyanyathela.

Chiefs have 19 points from seven games, while championship dark horses ZRP Bulawayo are second with 14 points off six games.

Against Indlovu Iyanyathela, ZRP Bulawayo scored through Mthulisi Sibanda, with the latter’s goal coming from Collins Tshuma.

Perennial First Division campaigners ZPC Hwange were the only team to record victory at the weekend, edging third-placed Casmyn 1-0 in Hwange.

The electricity generators, who are fifth with 10 points from five outings, scored through Mlungi Ndlovu.

The match of the weekend was the Mabuthweni derby featuring the league’s new boys Chiwororo and Zim Leopards at White City Stadium.

The six-goal thriller played at a fast pace attracted a sizable crowd and ended in a 3-3 draw.

Zim Leopards blew an opportunity to register their first league win after blowing a 2-0 lead to draw the game.

Zim Leopards went on to take the lead in the second half when Malvern Dube completed his hattrick, but a last minute goal by Nokel April Top Goal Scorer of the Month Morgan Chingombe earned Chiwororo a point.

The other goals for Chiwororo came from Zanempilo Khupe and Chingombe.

Chiwororo coach Morris Mukwiti said: “We need to change our tactics and play for our survival. We will get it right soon.”

Zim Leopards coach Xolani Nkundandwe bemoaned his players’ lack of potency.

“We wasted numerous scoring chances and were punished for that. We have to work on our defence because this is not the first time we’ve surrendered what looks like a comfortable lead to end up drawing,” said Nkundandwe.

Southern Region Division One League Results

Saturday: Makomo 0-0 Bulawayo Chiefs, Indlovu Iyanyathela 1-1 ZRP Bulawayo Province, ZPC Hwange 1-0 Casmyn, Victoria Falls Tigers 1-1 Talen Vision, Black Boots 1-1 Mosi Rovers

Sunday: Chiwororo 3-3 Zim Leopards

Southern Region Div One Soccer League table

P W D L F A GD Pts
Bulawayo Chiefs 7 6 1 0 15 1 14 19
ZRP Bulawayo 6 4 2 0 12 3 9 14
Casmyn 7 3 2 2 9 5 4 11
Indlovu Iyanyathela 5 3 1 1 9 4 5 10
ZPC Hwange 5 3 1 1 5 1 4 10
Talen Vision 7 2 4 1 5 3 2 10
Bosso 90 5 1 3 1 6 7 -1 6
Makomo 5 1 2 2 2 6 -3 5
Mosi Rovers 7 1 2 4 6 15 -9 5
Zim Leopards 7 0 4 3 12 15 -3 4
Amagagasi 5 1 1 3 3 6 -3 4
Chiwororo 6 1 1 4 9 13 -4 4
Victoria Falls Tigers 5 0 3 2 3 8 -5 3
Black Boots 5 0 3 2 4 14 -10 3

@ZililoR