Byo Chiefs back in action Thulani Sibanda
Thulani Sibanda

Thulani Sibanda

Ricky Zililo, Senior Sports Reporter
SOUTHERN Region Division One League leaders Bulawayo Chiefs return to action on Sunday after five-weeks of inactivity when they battle it out against ZRP Bulawayo Province at Hartsfield Grounds.

Chiefs’ coach Thulani Sibanda is wary of the police side they beat 2-0 on July 15 courtesy of Adrian Banana and Fortune Nkomazana’s strikes.

After that victory, Chiefs were on a bye the following weekend, while ZRP Bulawayo fell 1-2 to Zim Leopards.

The league then took a two-week break and resumed last weekend, with the police outfit facing off against Zim Leopards, who completed a double over them with another 2-1 win.

Sibanda believes ZRP Bulawayo go into the weekend game more “match-fit” than his charges.

“Look, we’ve been inactive for five weeks and at the time we played our last game, we were at optimum performance. We’ve lost that flow and we might struggle to pick up our rhythm. However, that doesn’t mean we’re going into the game doubting our capabilities. We will fight for the points so that we maintain our run,” said Sibanda.

ZRP Bulawayo, who beat Chiefs home and away last season, face an uphill assignment against the log leaders, who are yet to lose this season. Chiefs have won 12 out of 13 games they’ve played.

ZRP Bulawayo have also gone for nine matches without a win. Their last victory was on May 13 when they beat Chiwororo 2-1.

ZRP Bulawayo coach, Rogers Ndlovu will be hard-pressed for victory if his team is to fight for a respectable finish.

Perennial First Division campaigners ZPC Hwange take on Victoria Falls Tigers in the resort town tomorrow.

Last weekend, the electricity generators, who are second on the league table, dropped points in a 1-1 stalemate with Indlovu Iyanyathela, leaving them 12 points behind leaders Chiefs who have amassed 37 points off 13 games.

Tigers go into their weekend match against ZPC Hwange in high spirits following a 2-1 home win over Bosso 90, springing them from the bottom of the table to 13th.

With giants Highlanders and Dynamos participating in a four-team tournament in Botswana tomorrow, their developmental side Bosso 90, who beat DeMbare 2-0 in a Heroes’ Day celebratory game in Harare, will be at home to Indlovu Iyanyathela.

Bosso 90 and Indlovu Iyanyathela will lock horns at White City Stadium and the match promises to attract a good following of Highlanders’ supporters eager to watch their future stars, who put up a great show in Harare.

Melusi Sibanda, the Bosso 90 gaffer, said his charges are geared up for the army side.

“Obviously the boys are upbeat after their Heroes’ Day victory over Dynamos, but now we have to shift our focus to Indlovu Iyanyathela. We lost to Victoria Falls Tigers and we have to bounce back this weekend,” Sibanda said.

Fixtures

Tomorrow: Bosso 90 v Indlovu Iyanyathela (White City), Amagagasi v Black Boots (Victoria Falls), Mosi Rovers v Talen Vision (Victoria Falls, 12PM), Makomo v Chiwororo (Hwange)

Sunday: Bulawayo Chiefs v ZRP Bulawayo Province (Hartsfield, 12PM), Victoria Falls Tigers v ZPC Hwange (Victoria Falls)

Table
P     W     D     L     F     A     GD     Pts
Bulawayo Chiefs     13     12     1     0     29     2     27     37
ZPC Hwange     13     7     4     2     20     6     14     25
Bosso 90     14     6     5     3     15     13     2     23
Makomo     14     5     6     3     13     13     0     21
Zim Leopards     14     5     5     4     22     23     -1     20
Casmyn     14     5     4     5     16     12     4     19
Indlovu Iyanyathela     14     5     4     5     16     18     -2     19
ZRP Bulawayo     13     4     5     4     15     13     2     17
Mosi Rovers     14     4     5     5     15     20     -5     17
Talen Vision     13     3     6     4     10     10     0     15
Black Boots     14     3     5     6     17     27     -10     14
Chiwororo     14     2     4     8     15     23     -8     10
Victoria Falls Tigers     14     2     4     8     6     20     -14     10
Amagagasi     14     1     6     7     9     18     -9     9
— @ZililoR

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