Zimpapers Logo

Sports Reporter
ZIFA Southern Region Division One Soccer League pacesetters Tsholotsho FC’s 14 games unbeaten run came to a halt on Saturday at the hands of ZPC Hwange.
Despite going down 0-1 to the electricity generators, Tsholotsho remained at the top of the table tied on 30 points with Hwange’s Technosphere who beat Old Nic Mine 3-0 in Bulawayo.

Lizwe Sweswe, Tsholotsho FC coach, said the defeat to ZPC Hwange was a wake-up call for his charges.
“We will have to bounce back and I think this is a good result because it encourages you to work harder so that you improve on your shortcomings. The other thing if we had gone on without losing, the boys would have thought it’s an easy race when it’s not. This is just a minor setback which is hard on the players and I have told them to accept the result,” said Sweswe.

He said they failed to convert their scoring chances and they were eventually punished for being wasteful.
Sweswe said the remaining fixtures will be psychological and emphasised on the need to have his players mentally stable.

Tsholotsho FC’s next game is at home against former champions Plumtree Chiefs who are fourth on the table with 28 points, just two behind the Zhwane boys.

Plumtree Chiefs beat New West 2-1 in a derby.
Meanwhile, Ntabazinduna welcomed back coach Agent Sawu who missed their last game as he was with the Bulawayo Metropolitan Province’s boys’ Under-20 team that came second at the just-ended Zimbabwe National Youth Games.

The correctional services side who are third on the table with 29 points were held to a goalless draw by Mpumalanga.
“Picking a point away from home is important for our campaign. We just have to make sure that we keep up with the title chasing pack as we believe we are in contention for the championship,” said Sawu.

Ntabazinduna will on Saturday play host to ZPC Hwange.

Results
Saturday: ZPC Hwange 1-0 Tsholotsho FC, Plumtree Chiefs 2-1 New West, Mpumalanga 0-0 Ntabazinduna, Hwange Juniors 1-1 Trumus, Old Nic Mine 0-3 Technosphere, Black Boots 2-0 Elephant FC