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Ricky Zililo, Senior Sports Reporter
ZRP Bulawayo will face Southern Region Division One League leaders Bulawayo Chiefs with a depleted side after the bulk of their players reportedly quit for greener pastures.

ZRP Bulawayo will play host to the runaway leaders tomorrow at Fairbridge.

The police side, which beat Chiefs home and away last season, faces an uphill task against the league leaders, who are yet to lose this season. Chiefs have won 11 and drawn one of their 12 games this season, and remain the only unbeaten team in the league.

In contrast, ZRP Bulawayo have failed to register a win in their last six matches, with their last victory way back on May 13 when they edged Chiwororo 2-1.
The police team heads into tomorrow’s encounter smarting from a shock 0-3 drubbing by Mosi Rovers.

Rogers Ndlovu, ZRP Bulawayo coach, said six of his players are unavailable for tomorrow’s match.

“We’ve been hit by a player exodus and this has affected our preparations. I’m not at liberty to tell you the names of players that are trying their luck somewhere, but what I can tell you is that one of the players has already been given his clearance letter.

“However, we’re not making any excuses and we’re going to give a good account of ourselves in this contest. Last year we won home and away, but I don’t think history will matter because we’ve got a new side. What is important is to go into this match with a positive mind, fight for the points and hopefully we might end this six-match winless streak,” Ndlovu said.

Sources close to ZRP Bulawayo said striker Michael Tamela has left, with left-back Trust Ara Sibanda and striker Trust Usayi to try their luck at unnamed Premiership clubs.

Goalkeeper Njabulo “Popo” Nyoni, a former Highlanders’ shot stopper, has reportedly attracted interest from topflight sides, but is available for the tie.
Central defender Arnold Mushinga and attacking midfielder Mandla Gasela are the only surviving players from last season’s team that beat Chiefs 2-1 and 2-0.

Chiefs’ gaffer Thulani Sibanda said his charges, who hammered Zim Leopards 5-0 last weekend, were ready for ZRP Bulawayo.

“ZRP Bulawayo are tricky opponents, but we’re ready for them. Our goal is still the same, to finish the first half of the season strongly and this game against ZRP Bulawayo being our last match of the first half of the season, we are going for maximum points,” said Sibanda.

Chiefs will bank on last week’s scorers Arthur Musiiwa, Adrian Banana and skipper Kundishora Chakanyuka.

They also have attacking midfielder Perfect Tatenda Chikwende, former TP Mazembe and Highlanders midfielder Mthulisi Maphosa as well as Makhosi Ncube to bank on.

Meanwhile, second-placed Bosso 90 are away to Indlovu Iyanyathela, with ZPC Hwange hoping to bounce back from last weekend’s 2-1 away loss to Bosso 90 when they host Victoria Falls Tigers.

Fixtures

Tomorrow: Talen Vision v Mosi Rovers (Luveve, 12PM), Chiwororo v Makomo (HQ One Brigade, 12PM), Black Boots v Amagagasi (Fairbridge), ZRP Bulawayo Province v Bulawayo Chiefs (Fairbridge, 12PM), Indlovu Iyanyathela v Bosso 90 (HQ One Brigade)

Sunday: ZPC Hwange v Victoria Falls Tigers (Hwange)
Wednesday, July 19: Victoria Falls Tigers v Indlovu Iyanyathela (Chinotimba)
— @ZililoR