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Tendai Chikuni

Lovemore Zigara in Gweru
LOG leaders Shabanie Mine took advantage of a slip-up by second-placed Blanket Mine to open a four-point lead at the top of the Zifa Central Soccer League (CSL).

The asbestos miners subdued struggling Chrome Stars 2-0 at Maglas Stadium in Zvishavane, with goals coming from former Warriors defender Zvenyika Makonese and left-back Ricky Bota.

While Shabanie Mine were registering victory, Blanket Mine’s title aspirations suffered a major dent when they went down 1-2 to Ivan Hoe.

The result saw Ivan Hoe maintaining their unbeaten record at home in the second half of the season and reduce the gap between them and Blanket Mine to just one point.

Ivan Hoe have accumulated 55 points, seven adrift of log leaders Shabanie Mine, who now need to win two of their remaining fixtures to secure a place in the promotional play-offs.

Shabanie Mine coach Tendai Chikuni expressed satisfaction with his charges’ performance, saying he is now looking forward to finishing the season on a high.

“I am happy that we managed to win today’s match and our focus now is to win the remaining games so that we do the job for ourselves and not worry about what other teams are doing,” Chikuni said.

His side faces Gweru United in their next fixture and Chikuni warned his players against complacency, saying he wants them to treat each team with respect in their last three games of the season.

The same could not be said about Barnet Vhinkumbu, the Blanket Mine coach, who admitted that the loss to Ivan Hoe was a major blow to their championship aspirations. But he was optimistic that the pendulum would swing in their favour in the remaining games.

Results

Ivan Hoe 2-1 Blanket Mine, ZRP Beitbridge 0-0 FC Platinum U19, Shabanie Mine 2-0 Chrome Stars, ZRP Gwanda 4-2 Whawha, Nichrut 1-1 MSU, ZPC Munyati 5-0 Gweru United, Jessie Mine 1-0 Vumbachikwe, Tongogara 2-1 Kwekwe Sables