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Thulani Sibanda

Sifundiso Ndlovu Sports Reporter
THE Zifa Southern Region Division One promises to be a crunch affair this season as no team has managed to make it two wins in as many games.
There were four draws while Tsholotsho, Black Boots and ZPC Hwange were the only teams to collect maximum points from their weekend fixtures.
No team has shown signs of  taking an early lead, a confirmation that the league is headed for an exciting season.
Table toppers Trumus drew 0-0 with Plumtree Chiefs in Victoria Falls which was a big test for the newcomers as they faced defending champions.

Trumus secretary-general Allen Guzha said this was a good result for the resort town outfit, who are banking on the experience of their coach Peter Manoti who led relegated Tripple B in the Castle Lager Premier Soccer League last season.

“We expect our coach to save the day for us, he has vast experience which he gained during his stint in the Premier League. This season we want to stabilise and learn. Then next season we fight for promotion to the Premiership,” said Guzha.

He said it was too early to pick title favourites for the season as no team has so far won all their games.
“We were happy with the support we got over the weekend. If we get sponsorship we will have a Premier League team in Victoria Falls soon,” said Guzha.
Plumtree Chiefs coach Thulani Sibanda admitted that Trumus are a good team and will surprise many teams this season.

Like Trumus he played down his team’s promotion chances.
Sibanda at the beginning of the year engaged Manoti as his assistant before Bantu Rovers took over the club’s Premier League franchise. So the Trumus coach’s working knowledge of some of the Chiefs players could have played a role in the result.

“The main aim for us this season is to develop the youngsters and give them a chance to prove themselves. I think teams like Tsholotsho Pirates, Black Boots and Ntabazinduna are good enough to push for promotion but its too early to judge,” said Sibanda.

Recently launched National University of Science and Technology (Nust) did not play as they took part in the inter-university competitions held in Bulawayo over the weekend.

In other games Ntabazinduna played to a goalless draw with Pretoria Portland Cement while the Hwange derby between Kabwe Warriors and Technospere ended in a nil all draw.

The 1988 Super League (now Premiership) champions Zimbabwe Saints drew 1-1 with New West City.

Results:
Kabwe Warriors 0-0 Technosphere, Trumus 0-0 Plumtree, Hwange Juniors 1-2 Tsholotsho, Old Nic Mine 0-2 Black Boots, Elephant FC 0-1 ZPC Hwange, Zimbabwe Saints 1-1 New West, Ntabazinduna 0-0 Pretoria Portland Cement