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Bulawayo Chiefs players celebrate Moses Majika’s winning goal against ZRP Bulawayo yesterday

Ricky Zililo, Senior Sports Reporter
GOALS in either half by attacking midfielder Arthur Musiiwa and left-back Moses Majika saw Southern Region Division One League leaders Bulawayo Chiefs extending their unbeaten run to 14 games by beating ZRP Bulawayo 2-1 at Hartsfield Ground yesterday.

While Chiefs celebrated a perfect start to the second half of the season following a five-week break, ZRP Bulawayo’ woes continued, as they took their winless streak to 10 games. The police side last won on May 13 when they beat Chiwororo 2-1.

Musiiwa gave Chiefs the lead just after the half-hour mark, but ZRP Bulawayo returned from the breather a more determined side, and drew level 10 minutes into the second half through a perfect strike by winger Happiness Murozva.

The equaliser spurred ZRP Bulawayo on, as they frustrated the table toppers in search of a winner, but it was Chiefs who got it in the 80th minute through Majika.

The build-up to the winning goal saw Chiefs’ coach Thulani Sibanda changing his formation, pushing Majika to the front to form a three-man attack with Adrian Banana and Kundishora Chakanyuka.

Sibanda switched from a 4-4-2 formation to 3-4-3 and after getting the winner, Chiefs reverted to their 4-4-2 style.

“We noted that they had pushed everyone up front and were pinning us down, so to free ourselves, we had to move Majika from the back to the front. They failed to read that and when we broke, just in that split second we got the winner.

“I’m happy with the points, but you could see that the five-week break had a toll on us, as we ran out of steam at some stages. Hopefully, we will build from this victory,” Sibanda said.

ZRP Bulawayo coach Rogers Ndlovu attributed their winless run to a players’ exodus.

“We lost about nine players during the window and we’re trying the youngsters that joined us during the same period. Our hope is that this phase passes soon and we have to find ways of motivating these boys so that they also give their best,” said Ndlovu.

Chiefs maintained their 12-point lead over ZPC Hwange, taking their points tally to 40 from 14 outings.

ZPC Hwange beat Victoria Falls Tigers 3-1 in the resort town to keep their slim title hopes alive.

Results

Saturday: Bosso 90 3-0 Indlovu Iyanyathela, Amagagasi 1-3 Black Boots, Mosi Rovers 0-1 Talen Vision, Makomo 3-0 Chiwororo (walkover)

Yesterday: Bulawayo Chiefs 2-1 ZRP Bulawayo Province, Victoria Falls Tigers 1-3 ZPC Hwange

Table
P     W     D     L     F     A     GD     Pts

Bulawayo Chiefs     14     13     1     0     31     3     28     40
ZPC Hwange     14     8     4     2     23     7     16     28
Bosso 90     15     7     5     3     18     13     5     26
Makomo     15     6     6     3     16     13     3     24
Zim Leopards     14     5     5     4     22     23     -1     20
Casmyn     14     5     4     5     16     12     4     19
Indlovu Iyanyathela     15     5     4     6     16     21    -5     19
Talen Vision     14     4     6     4     11     10     1     18
ZRP Bulawayo     14     4     5     5     16     15     1     17
Mosi Rovers     15     4     5     6     15     21     -6     17
Black Boots     15     4     5     6     20     28     -8     17
Chiwororo     15     2     4     9     15     26     -11     10
Vict Falls Tigers     15     2     4     9     7     23     -16     10
Amagagasi     15     1     6     8     10     21     -11     9
— @ZililoR