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Ricky Zililo Senior Sports Reporter
BULAWAYO City FC and Bulawayo Chiefs continue breathing on ZPC Hwange’s neck in the Southern Region Soccer League, winning their respective league games to remain a point behind the electricity generators.ZPC Hwange remain at the top of the table with 18 points from eight matches after beating Mpumalanga 1-0 in a Hwange derby on Saturday.

The league’s biggest match of the weekend was at Fairbridge where perennial campaigners Black Boots lost 0-2 to 10-men Bulawayo Chiefs.

Bulawayo Chiefs had attacking midfielder Ishmael Wadi sent off in the first half for a second bookable offence minutes after his team had taken the lead through Proud Zireni.

With a numerical advantage, Black Boots piled pressure on the former champions but found a stumbling block in Bulawayo Chiefs’ goalkeeper Wallace Magalane, who made numerous saves to keep his team in the lead.

In a desperate search for an equaliser, Black Boots camped in Bulawayo Chiefs’ half but were hit on the counter when Desire Nyokanhete scored for the visitors to seal a memorable victory.

Bulawayo Chiefs coach Thulani Sibanda was happy with the win but furious at Wadi for being sent off.

“We fought hard and maintained composure even when we were a man down. What Wadi did was childish because he could’ve avoided those cards. Our play revolves around him and for a player like him to unnecessarily get booked affects our plans for future games,” Sibanda said.

He declined to comment on his team’s championship prospects saying they were building a team to challenge for the title next season.

At Luveve Stadium, the local authority bankrolled Bulawayo City beat Nust 3-0 with goals from ex-Bosso defender Bruce Tshuma, Ryan Mabhena and former Quelaton midfielder Eddie Nkulungo.

Bulawayo City are enjoying a fine run in their maiden promotional league season built on a solid defence that has only been breached once in eight outings.

Just like Bulawayo Chiefs, Bulawayo City also downplay talk of securing a Premier Soccer League ticket in their first attempt.

April Nokel Security Southern Region Soccer League top goalscorer James Chivasa was on target for Agent “Ajila” Sawu’s coached Ntabazinduna who beat Hwange Juniors 2-0 in the coal mining town.

Ntabazinduna are fourth on the table with 16 points, two behind leaders ZPC Hwange.

Former Premiership side Bantu Rovers got maximum points on the road beating Trumus 2-0 in Victoria Falls. Tshintsha Guluva got their goals from Lenience Mpofu and Tshidzani Malaba.

Results

Saturday: Casmyn 0-0 Old Nic Mine, Black Boots 0-2 Bulawayo Chiefs, ZPC Hwange 1-0 Mpumalanga, Trumus 0-2 Bantu Rovers, Hwange Juniors 2-0 Ntabazinduna, Indlovu Iyanyathela 0-0 Technosphere, Nust 0-3 Bulawayo City

Sunday: Makomo FC 1-1 Amagagasi