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Ricky Zililo Senior Sports Reporter
IT IS a top-of-the-table clash in the Southern Region Soccer League when pre-season favourites Bulawayo City takes on ZPC Hwange at Chakona Stadium, Hwange this afternoon.Both teams, together with Bulawayo Chiefs and Ntabazinduna are tied on seven points after three rounds of matches.

Bulawayo Chiefs are at the top of the table due to a superior goal difference followed by Bulawayo City, Ntabazinduna and ZPC Hwange.

It is the ZPC Hwange-Bulawayo City clash that stands out to be the match of the weekend as both teams will be hoping to collect maximum points and in the process maintain their unbeaten run.

What also makes the Chakona Stadium tie more exciting is that both teams are aware that any slip up will give an advantage to other championship chasing clubs.

Perennial campaigners ZPC Hwange have always been hard to beat and it remains to be seen if the Philani “Beefy” Ncube coached Bulawayo City will be able to upset the electricity generators in their backyard.

Bulawayo City will have to dig deeper if they are to come out with maximum points in their second trip to Hwange this season, having earlier on played to a 0-0 draw with Makomo at the coalmining town on Week Two.

ZPC Hwange emerged victorious in last weekend’s derby against Hwange Juniors who they beat 2-1.

Admire Banda and Bongani Dube,  scorers in the Hwange Juniors’ encounter as well as striker Azela Kabwe are some of the players that Bulawayo City should keep an eye on.

“We expect a tight game at ZPC Hwange and we know that as league debutantes, pressure will likely be on our opponents than us. We’ve prepared for the game and we will give it our best shot,” said Bulawayo City coach Ncube.

The former Njube Sundowns, Chicken Inn and How Mine gaffer has a number of players with Division One experience who include ex-ZPC Hwange and How Mine midfielder Xolisani Moyo, Joseph Mathambo, Warren Dube and Innocent Kutsanzira.

Former Highlanders defender Bruce Tshuma, goalkeeper Ndodana Sibanda, Qinani Sibanda, Mkhululi Moyo and Makhosi Ncube formerly with Chicken Inn are some of the experienced players at Bulawayo City.

Bulawayo Chiefs have a tricky game against Indlovu Iyanyathela at HQ One Brigade while Ntabazinduna make a long trip to Victoria Falls for a date with Trumus.

Former Premiership side Bantu Rovers are on the road, seeking their first win in Hwange where they square off with Hwange Juniors.

All the Division One matches will be preceded by a minute of prayer in rememberance of xenophobia victims in South Africa.

Fixtures

Saturday: Casmyn v Amagagasi (Turk Mine), Black Boots v Technosphere (Postponed), ZPC Hwange v Bulawayo City (Chakona), Indlovu Iyanyathela v Bulawayo Chiefs (Brad Barracks), Nust v Mpumalanga (Nust), Hwange Juniors v Bantu Rovers (Hwange), Trumus v Ntabazinduna (Victoria Falls)

Sunday: Makomo v Old Nic Mine (Chakona).