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Ricky Zililo Senior Sports Reporter
BULAWAYO Chiefs brought log leaders Bantu Rovers’ fine run to a halt with a 1-0 win in the Southern Region Division One Soccer League at Luveve Stadium on Sunday. Remmington Masuku scored the solitary goal for Chiefs, helping his side register a confidence booster against the table toppers. Rovers went into the game bubbling with confidence following their nine-match winning run.

Chiefs’ coach Anzilom Ndlovu said the victory over Rovers was a right tonic his side needed. His side has four games in hand and need to collect as many points as possible to get their championship hopes back on track.

“It was a tough game, but I was impressed with the way the boys responded after last week’s defeat to ZRP Bulawayo. Bantu Rovers are a good side and winning against a side enjoying good form lifts the boys’ spirits. Now we simply have to take each game as it comes and hopefully continue with this positive form,” said Ndlovu.

Tomorrow, Chiefs face Highlanders’ First Division side Bosso 90 at White City Stadium, hoping to march on. Chiefs are now fifth with 16 points from seven matches and trail Rovers, who have played 11 games, by 11 points.

Bosso 90 are fifth from the bottom with 10 points from 10 games and Chiefs have ruled out complacency in tomorrow’s encounter. Rovers will be hoping that Bosso 90 beats Chiefs so they maintain their top spot.

Johannes Ngodzo, the Rovers’ head coach, conceded defeat, which he believes was a wake-up call for his side.

“Obviously losing isn’t good, but the boys gave a good fight. What’s important is to rise from this loss, correct the mistakes we made and get our act together,” said Ngodzo.

Rovers may lose their top spot after tomorrow’s games in the event that second placed Amagagasi beat visiting Indlovu Iyanyathela. Amagagasi are a point behind Rovers and have a game in hand.

Indlovu Iyanyathela are third from the bottom with 10 points, making Amagagasi favourites to win tomorrow’s encounter.

Highlanders-bound Amagagasi striker Nhlanhla Ndlovu is expected to bid farewell to the Victoria Falls-based side in style by powering them back to the top of the table.

Results

Saturday: Bantu Rovers 0-1 Bulawayo Chiefs, ZRP Bulawayo Province 2-1 Talen Vision, ZRP Hwange 0-0 Indlovu Iyanyathela, Black Boots 1-1 Victoria Falls Tigers, Casmyn 1-1 Hwange Juniors

Fixtures

Tomorrow: Amagagasi v Indlovu Iyanyathela (Victoria Falls), Bosso 90 v Bulawayo Chiefs (White City), Hwange Juniors v Ntabazinduna (Hwange), ZRP Bulawayo Province v Makomo (Fairbridge), Technosphere v Black Boots (Hwange)

Thursday June 30: Victoria Falls Tigers v ZRP Hwange (Victoria Falls)